Harvey and Honey came down to see us for a natter yesterday. We enjoy hearing about their walks as they go farther into the countryside than we do and see unusual plants and birds. However Harvey was a bit indignant that he had given Ricky Ticky a free ride around the meadow the other day. Honey recalled last year when she gave Vicky Ticky a free day out at an Agricultural Show - with a prime seat on the top of her head! Many years ago Mum and Dad had some guinea fowl that clattered around the farm - and they loved ticks! It is said that just 2 birds can clear 2 acres in a single year - ours had obviously consumed all the local ones and more, because they wandered far and wide.
"I have heard," said Harvey. "If you tie a white blanket to a pole and drag it through the undergrowth of woody areas, you can then just pick the little mites off."
That sounds fun!
"Then after I had got rid of Ricky, I came home with Billericay Dicky. I have this strange potion put on my withers every so often and if Dicky had started feeding in earnest, I guess he would have dropped off - dead! But Mum spotted him early on and zapped him with a top-up spray. He hung on for a day, but was obviously quite dead and then dropped off in my chair. Mum carefully lifted up the flat brown lifeless body and gave it to Dad. Not sure why. Perhaps it was a late Father's Day present."
We were intrigued.
"You know some people burn them with a hot match, or smother them in Vaseline, or give them Alcohol, or twist them out with a Tick Tool. You can dab them with Paraffin or Kizzie's nail-varnish remover as well - it makes them loosen their grip."
What?!
"This magic potion is much easier and doesn't leave even a small mark on my skin. I really am glad they don't set me alight when they see one. Wouldn't mind the Alcohol though." Harvey looked thoughtful. "I think the Deer carry them and leave them to cling on to the grasses where they wait for us to come along. They are members of the Spider family you know - 8 legs. Anyway we've got to be off now Gordon," Harvey waved his tail. "Watch out for the little blighters!"
And with that Honey and Harvey trotted off to have more adventures. Gordon xxx
"I have heard," said Harvey. "If you tie a white blanket to a pole and drag it through the undergrowth of woody areas, you can then just pick the little mites off."
That sounds fun!
"Then after I had got rid of Ricky, I came home with Billericay Dicky. I have this strange potion put on my withers every so often and if Dicky had started feeding in earnest, I guess he would have dropped off - dead! But Mum spotted him early on and zapped him with a top-up spray. He hung on for a day, but was obviously quite dead and then dropped off in my chair. Mum carefully lifted up the flat brown lifeless body and gave it to Dad. Not sure why. Perhaps it was a late Father's Day present."
We were intrigued.
"You know some people burn them with a hot match, or smother them in Vaseline, or give them Alcohol, or twist them out with a Tick Tool. You can dab them with Paraffin or Kizzie's nail-varnish remover as well - it makes them loosen their grip."
What?!
"This magic potion is much easier and doesn't leave even a small mark on my skin. I really am glad they don't set me alight when they see one. Wouldn't mind the Alcohol though." Harvey looked thoughtful. "I think the Deer carry them and leave them to cling on to the grasses where they wait for us to come along. They are members of the Spider family you know - 8 legs. Anyway we've got to be off now Gordon," Harvey waved his tail. "Watch out for the little blighters!"
And with that Honey and Harvey trotted off to have more adventures. Gordon xxx