Guide to Handling Ticks and Pests at Forest School
Exploring the outdoors is the cornerstone of the forest school experience, offering children invaluable lessons and endless adventures. However, with this exploration comes the responsibility of understanding and managing the presence of ticks and other pests. Here’s our comprehensive guide to ensure everyone stays safe and informed while enjoying the natural world.
Understanding the Environment:
Southern Oregon's lush landscapes are not only home to a diverse array of flora and fauna but also to various insects, including ticks. These small creatures are often found in wooded areas, tall grasses, and leaf piles, making forest schools like ours typical habitats.
When Can we Expect to see Ticks?
Ticks are generally most active during the warmer months, typically from spring through fall. This period aligns with higher temperatures and increased outdoor activity both for people and animals, which ticks rely on for feeding. The peak times are usually from early spring (around March) through late fall (around November). However, it’s important to note that ticks can be active on warmer winter days as well, so vigilance is necessary year-round, especially when temperatures are above freezing.
What about Lyme?
Fortunately, Lyme disease is not as prevalent in Southern Oregon as it is in other parts of the United States, such as the Northeast or the Midwest. However, it's still important to be cautious. Removing a tick within 24 hours will greatly reduce your risk of acquiring a tick-borne illness.
Prevention Tips:
Effective prevention is essential for managing ticks and pests. Here are the strategies we recommend for our families:
Appropriate Clothing:
Encourage your child to wear light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts to make ticks more visible and less likely to reach the skin. Choose leggings or pants made from smooth, tightly woven fabrics like cotton or Merino, which are more difficult for ticks to latch onto than coarser weaves like canvas and jeans. Tuck shirts into pants and pull socks over pant legs to create barriers that ticks find difficult to navigate. You may want to avoid shorts as ticks can hide under them.
Use of Repellents: Choosing a repellent that is effective and safe for littles can feel overwhelming. Here are some we recommend…
Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Shampoo: Originally developed as a lice prevention shampoo, this product has also been found effective against ticks when used regularly. We recommend diluting it 50/50 with distilled water to mitigate any potential irritation from its strong scents.
No Bite Me Cream: This cream is effective against ticks and a variety of insects when applied around pulse points or along the edges of clothing. It uses natural scents to repel pests without harsh chemicals, making it a child-friendly option.
Badger Bug Spray: This spray uses natural plant oils such as citronella, cedar, and lemongrass to repel insects. It's gentle on the skin and effective in protecting against ticks and other insects.
Regular Checks:
Perform thorough tick checks on your child after going out in nature. We recommend incorporating an after-school bath into your family rhythm.
Focus on areas such as under the arms, around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and particularly in the hair.
Side note: don’t forget to check your dog regularly!
Education:
Educate children on recognizing ticks and the importance of seeking adult assistance for tick removal. This empowers them to be proactive about their safety.
What To Do If You Find a Tick:
Discovering a tick on your child can be unsettling, but prompt and proper removal is key:
Safe Removal: Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. After removal, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water.
Dispose of the Tick: To safely dispose of a tick, first submerge it in rubbing alcohol to kill it, then place it in a sealed bag or container to throw away, or flush the tick down the toilet. If you feel safer saving it, place it in a sealed bag in the freezer.
Watch for Symptoms: Keep an eye on the bite site and your child’s health. If you notice a rash or your child experiences fever, chills, fatigue, or joint pain, consult a healthcare provider.
Further Reading:
Creating a Safe Learning Environment:
At Kettle & Crow, the health and safety of our children are paramount. We diligently educate our students on how to handle encounters with ticks and other potential hazards in nature. Our staff is fully trained in first aid and efficient tick removal techniques, and tick findings are promptly communicated to parents.
While ticks and other pests are a reality of outdoor learning, with proper precautions and knowledge, we can continue to safely embrace all the benefits of a forest school experience. Let’s keep exploring, learning, and growing together, with mindfulness and preparedness as our guides through nature’s challenges.
