All Things Fine Art

With the advent of sunny warm days we are finally relieved of winter and joyously happy to feel the warmth and see the sun once again. It is a time of renewal, and unfortunately, once again the season for TICKS!

Just this morning, GLPAPA member, Patty Londy, of Howell, MI wrote me to say she picked up a tick on her clothing in their woods on the 20^th of March. The pesky bugs are out looking for their first victims of the year. Tick bites should always be taken seriously. If you are bitten, check with your doctor on what to do next. I’ve been bitten four times over the years by ticks and so far, have luckily never been infected. However, I do take precautions when outdoors. No one wants to get a tick infection.

With a good plan, you can paint tick free and without worry. The following tips should help you have a great plein air season without fear of being a victim of a tick.

TIPS ON PAINTING TICK FREE

Prevention is by far the best armor for dealing with ticks. No one wants to be bitten by them. Try these tips the next time you venture out to paint:

1. Wear a hat, long pants and long sleeves buttoned at the wrist.  Tuck your pant legs into your socks. Ticks can’t bite what they can’t reach.

2. Buy a good tick spray and spray your shoes, socks and clothing including the hat. In addition, spray your equipment. If you have to leave your backpack on the ground while painting, you might also lay down a small tarp, towel, etc. that has been sprayed and place the sprayed pack on top of it. You don’t want to carry ticks home in your pack to infest your car and house. The best spray I’ve found so far is Ben’s Tick Repellent, available at Amazon. I never spray it directly on my skin…only on my clothing, hat, shoes, and equipment. It works!

3. If possible, stay away from tall grass and don’t walk under or through overhanging branches.

4. When you get home, strip and check all over to make sure some determined pest didn’t break through the barriers and get to you. If one did, check with your doctor on the best way to get rid of it and if/when you need to be seen for possible medical treatment. It’s also a good plan to shower and shampoo to rid yourself of any repellent that might have gotten on your exposed skin.

With these precautions you’ll enjoy a good season of painting this year. Enjoy every day with a brush in hand!

PS: Please feel free to share my article with others who might benefit by taking precautions against ticks.

3/21/22, www.SGTarr.com