I’d Like to Check You for Ticks
Tick Checks. Back when I was a camp counselor in northern New York, we were strongly encouraged to do daily tick checks. They went so far as to recommend finding a buddy to help you look in hard to see places. This of course sparked the ultimate pick up line of the summer: “Hey baby, need a tick check?” Years later I delighted in Brad Paisley’s song, Ticks, as it brought back memories of an idyllic summer spent holding onto my youth just a little longer. Back when I rolled my eyes at the suggestion of a tick check and refused to be scared into submission by the threat of these mini vampires. I admit it, I thought of them as these mythical pests that everyone liked to complain about about but didn’t exist nearly on the scale that “grown ups” liked to warn us about. Oh I heard about them in vague terms but saw maybe one my whole life. Until. This summer. When they officially became the bane of my existence. Suddenly they were, quite literally, everywhere. We found them on the dogs everyday, I found them in the house, had them crawl on us, and even found one in our bed. I barely let the dogs outside to pee, it was so horrific. We applied Frontline Plus, we combed the dogs every single time they came inside,we sprayed the yard as best as we could and yet there was no escape. I have learned more about ticks, their life cycle and mating habits then I ever wanted to know. I assume that this is just karma for my ignorance. I keep reading how tick season lasts all summer and into the fall but the vets tell me it should end soon. Then flea season begins. Of course I have also always regarded fleas the same as ticks: you know, someone else’s problem. Heaven help us now.