Things for the Children on the Weekends

Guest Editor-Blogger: Wendy Bailey

Photo: photoxpress

Camping Safety and Dealing With Pests

So make sure to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Nature has a lot to offer, just make sure to stay safe and avoid the pests.

There’s really nothing like the great outdoors. There is the fresh air, the scenic landscapes, the feeling that you are one with your surroundings. After the long, cold, and snowy winter that much of the United States faced, many weekend warriors may be raring to go and looking for a quality outdoor activity to keep them occupied and entertained.

There are a lot of outdoor activities that people can enjoy now that the weather is nice. There’s fishing, hunting, hiking; however, perhaps the most fulfilling activity is camping: pitching a tent and living off the land. Camping is a great way to relax and forget about the hectic, busy pace of the modern life, if only for a weekend. A few days away from it all can really clear your head and put things in perspective. There is really little in the world that compares to a good camping trip.

With all that a camping trip can offer however, there are some risks; after all you’re out in the wild and Mother Nature can be home to a host of pests. That’s right pests and they can range from a mere nuisance to the cause of a real medical problem. Whenever you go camping it is important to be safe, quite a lot of it is common sense. It goes without saying that campers should maintain a safe camp site, be careful with any campfires they may light, and be aware of any wild animals that may inhabit the area. Worrying about insects and other pests however may be a point that some campers may simply forget about. Nevertheless campers should be aware of the dangers that pests may pose and take proper precautions while enjoying their wilderness adventures. The measures needed are in no way difficult precautions to take.

Perhaps the first step that campers should take to avoid problems that may be caused by pests is to purchase to some insect repellent. Anti-bug spray is a simple precaution that can go miles in keeping you safe from pests. Insects such as mosquitoes, which are known to potentially carry a bevy of diseases, are warded off by something as simple a spray purchased at a local pharmacy.

Campers can also try warding off mosquitoes with a citronella candle that they can light at the their campsite. Just remember to practice proper fire safety as you would with any other campfire, candle, torch, or cigarette butt.

Now mosquitoes are one thing, but ticks are a completely different animal, no pun intended. Ticks are especially dangerous since they can transmit Lyme Disease, an affliction that can be particularly debilitating and have lasting ramifications on an individual’s long-term health. The best way to avoid ticks is not have any exposed skin while walking through areas where ticks are likely to be, such as high grass. Make sure to wear long pants and sleeves and to wear a hat. If you want to use an ant-tick repellent it is advised that you do not spray it on your skin, just on your clothes.

Finally, while not technically pests, various plants such as poison ivy and poison oak are of a real concern to campers. They can cause serious rashes and discomfort. Avoiding them all together is advisable, but again, if campers will be walking in an area where poison ivy or poison oak is expected to be, wearing long pants and sleeves will go far in protecting against their adverse affects.

Eight Months Since ESP Team's Adventure

Aug. 8th, 2010, the ESP Team of southwestern Oregon, saw bigfoot and their trail cam took photos of it. Today, April 8th, 2011, is its eighth month anniversary. Bill Emery and Hank Parchell of the team actually saw the animal. You can use the search tool on this site and read for yourself what happened.

It's an exciting adventure. Emery and Parchell hid during the night of Aug, 7/8; early morning, the 8th, the huge animal walked down the trail they were on, stopping at a salt lick they had planted. Emery said he thought about taking a photo of it when he was very close to it but feared it might attack.

As you know Bill Emery has refused to comment on this site. His wife, however, has commented. We do so wish to know more about when the clear photos of Big Clyde will be available for the public to see. And more about the new team member. Now the Team is known as the ESPO Team.

If anyone knows about this team's adventures, please let us know. We appreciate anything to do with bigfoot here on Bigfoot Ballyhoo. ... LNP