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This is my greenhouse in the winter. I don’t heat my greenhouse, too expensive, but things somehow make it, even my tropical fruit trees. I can grow most things until dec without heat, even tomatoes until Nov. I am growing goji, curry leaf and other exotics most people don’t grow in Virginia.

In the past few years there has been an increase in the reported cases of lyme disease in human and pets in the state of Virginia. In the past we didn’t have such a concern with lyme disease but cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Rather then go into a lengthy explanation about vector-borne diseases I’d like for you to use the link below to do a bit of reading and research.  Even if you live in town it doesn’t mean you won’t have a tick problem. My sister lives on Westover and her flea and tick problem is far worse then mine. I’d like to provide you with the information and this post will focus on protecting your pets and family. This summer will be worse then you can imagine. Please plan ahead.

Vector-borne Disease Control

The first line of defense is your lawn where you pets and family spend time. If you MUST use a chemical spray such as Cutters which last for 8 weeks and fits on a hose-end sprayer, please follow these guidelines carefully;

• Spray after you’ve cut your lawn.
• Spray early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in or in the evening.
• Allow 24 hours before pets or humans walk on treated grass. Spray the backyard one day and the front yard the next so you can safely let your pet out to potty.
• Carefully monitor your children and pets after.

Any chemical can have harmful side effects so it’s important to use only as needed and take the extra precautions.  If you have a big lawn perhaps you could spray the outer areas, bushes and avoid the direct area where your pets and children are.  After a few days there is less chance of the chemical entering the skin and blood stream. Still many pets eat grass and you need to be prepared to supervise.

Natural Flea and Tick Treatments for Lawns

Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade 10 Lb
Diatomaceous Earth - This fossilized skeletons of tiny aquatic organisms. When untreated, the razor sharp edges of this mined product scratch the exoskeletons of hard bodied insects, making them susceptible to fatal attack from natural organisms in the soil. Application rate: Dry: 1 lb. per 500 sq. ft. Solution: 2 tbs. per gal. of water. As a food supplement for pets: 1-2% of food volume.

Diatomaceous Earth will not work right away. You should also reapply every month. You can mix it as a paste and in a hose-end sprayer or by a powder applicator and puff dust around your yard. Sounds like a pain but it works and it will not harm pets, children, wildlife and the environment.

In addition I also use:

Farnam Central Life 3002536 Equisect Fly Repellent - Approved by the OMRI and the EPA. Contains the botanical repellent PyGanic. Also contains botanical and essential oils of citronella, clove stem, thyme, and corn mint. Although it’s a horse fly spray it is approved to kill ticks and fleas on dogs and cats. I use it here. I buy the 32 oz spray bottle then a gallon ( Equisect Gallon
) and refill. Once a week you spray lightly and deeply brush into the coat. Then once a day when you take your fur baby potty give them a quick light spray on the legs and belly. The gallon is 40 bucks but when you consider the price you pay for Frontline and the like it’s very affordable. In fact along with my other treatments I’ll put Equisect in a hose-end sprayer, set it at 3 teaspoons per gallon and spray it in my dog yards, on my fence, etc. It has an oil base and should stick just fine for a while. So I can kill fleas, ticks, other insects AND keep the flies away? I’m definitely signed up for that!

Last year we used a Garlic concentrate which worked great IF I applied it often but it was very expensive over an entire season.

If you have questions or comments let me know in the comments section below.

I found these unknown chunks in in a bag of Purina One

Just like humans, dogs can become constipated. It may seem like a relatively mild condition, but if left untreated, constipation in dogs can lead to much more serious health problems. Veterinarians have been researching remedies for canine constipation for several years, and have made some useful advances in treating this condition. There are many identified causes of constipation in dogs, most of which are able to be treated by good lifestyle habits and attentive health care.

Constipation is a condition that can be defined by a visible difficulty in your dog’s bowel movements.

Click here to go to a free site about Dog Constipation

Use the contact section here at Dancing Creek Farm to inquire about sweet Chloe.

Lazy Boxer Boys

We had a few cancellations which means we have a few spots open for Thanksgiving. Christmas we have a few spots open. During the holidays we are busy but set up to take more dogs and I have more help. We cook turkeys and sweet potatoes for the pups so they can have a special holiday too.

If you’d like a reservation use the contact form to email me and see if the spots are still available.