Oak mites 😖

[Quillback]

Had to look them up, apparently another invasive, hope they don't make it down here.  370,000 per day!

Most of the bites from Pyemotes herfsi tend to occur in the late summer into fall when the mite has built up large populations. Studies have shown that the mites can fall from trees in numbers of up to 370,000 per day. They are also easily carried by the wind and can potentially enter through window screens and thereby bite people who do not often go outdoors. Most bites, however, occur to individuals gardening, especially those raking infested pin oak leaves in the fall.

Control of the oak leaf itch mite is not easily accomplished. Tree sprays do not penetrate the galls and therefore the mites are protected. There are mixed results from the use of DEET (a mosquito and tick repellent). People can best protect themselves by limiting their time from under infested trees and by immediately removing and laundering clothing and then showering.

Physicians suggest the use of calamine lotions and other itch creams to reduce the itching - that at times can be intense. Scratching of the bite locations is discouraged as it can result in secondary bacterial infections.

[snagged in outlet 3]

4 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

Fake News!!  I guess that CHASE is the right word .

Precisely.  Just like these oak mites.  No whites tonight.  4 blow ups on the pop R.  This one stayed pinned.  
 

[fishinwrench]

12 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Precisely.  Just like these oak mites.  No whites tonight.  4 blow ups on the pop R.  This one stayed pinned.  
 

I goofed on the White action too.  Was out a bit early for the blitz, so started throwing poppers for green bass.  Ended up having so much fun that I stayed with them until dark.  Let the Whites have a pass tonight. 

Caught about 15-20 shorts and 2 decent ones.

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

I wish I had good fishing out the door.  I’d do that every night

[fishinwrench]

49 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I wish I had good fishing out the door.  I’d do that every night

The backend flats are loading up with fish big-time right now.  Water temp got down to 74° for a few days but was back up to 81° this evening.  Lots of activity in the shallows.  

And the best part......No oak mites out there!    😊

[snagged in outlet 3]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

The backend flats are loading up with fish big-time right now.  Water temp got down to 74° for a few days but was back up to 81° this evening.  Lots of activity in the shallows.  

And the best part......No oak mites out there!    😊

That is one thing I miss more than any in the burbs is nearby “good” fishing.   I hope to fix that in retirement.  

[jdmidwest]

Cut down the oak trees and make some fire wood.  Plant some pines back there.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, jdmidwest said:

Cut down the oak trees and make some fire wood.  Plant some pines back there.

I've planted pines, they don't like it here.     Tried all sorts of trees after the twister ridded me of all the big pretty ones.  One lonely catalpa made it, and one redbud, everything else dies.    Oaks, Hickorys, sycamores, dogwoods, and Mimosa's..... that's the only thing that wants to live here. 

[Blazerman]

i was in my boat in the far back of a cove across from my cove last evening right at dark and under a bunch of trees. After being there a bit i had the feeling things were crawling on me and was scratching everywhere. Think they could get you on the water? I got out of there and and never ended up with any bites so maybe it was something else. Or maybe i am not the allergic to them?  

[oneshot 1]

We live in Oaks. So far just trying to find a place for garden.

oneshot