Happy Planting! Tips to Stay Itch-Free While Gardening

Does your green thumb have you itching and scratching? Gardening is a great way to spend time outside and enjoy the warmer weather, but this favorite pastime can also bring unwanted pests. From poison oak and ivy to mosquitoes and other bugs, it's essential to take preventative measures to avoid these pests and know what to do if you come into contact with them. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some common garden pests and provide tips on how to avoid them.

Common Garden Pests

When planting, weeding, or maintaining your garden, you may encounter some unwanted pests, from plants to bugs. Many of these garden dwellers may lead to uncomfortable side effects, including itchy rashes, bug bites, and more. Keep an eye out for these common garden pests:

Poison Oak and Ivy: These plants contain an oil called urushiol that causes an itchy rash on the skin when it comes into contact with it. It's essential to be able to identify these plants and take steps to avoid them while gardening.

Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are a common garden pest that can cause itchy bites and potentially transmit diseases.

Ticks: Ticks can also be found in gardens and transmit diseases like Lyme disease.

How to Prevent Poison Oak While Gardening

To prevent poison oak and ivy rash while gardening, wearing protective clothing like long sleeves, pants, and gloves is important. You should also know where these plants are in your garden and avoid them as much as possible. If you do come into contact with poison oak or ivy, it's important to wash the affected area. Tecnu Original Outdoor Skin Cleanser is an excellent solution to remove the oil before it can cause a rash. In addition, Tecnu Detox Wipes are a great tool to keep with you while outdoors for on-the-go protection and immediate action.

What to Do If You Come into Contact with Poison Oak While Gardening

If you come into contact with poison oak or ivy, the Ivy Complete Kit is a great solution to help prevent a rash and treat any occurring side effects. This all-in-one toolbox includes all of the steps and products you need to effectively treat a poison ivy, oak and sumac rash. First, begin with the Cleanse step using the Poison Ivy Scrub. This cleanser removes any oils that cause irritation and is safe to use on rashes, even after they’ve started. You should complete this step within eight hours of exposure to the plant.

Then, step two is to Treat. Simply apply the pain-relieving anti-itch gel included with the kit to the area of infection. The maximum strength gel formula calms the skin’s natural reaction to the oils and provides a soothing effect. 

The final stage is Tecnu’s waterless Detox Wipes. These are great to carry with you on the go and can be used to remove any spreadable oil from the plants from clothing, skin, pets, and tools. 

Gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but it's important to take steps to avoid common garden pests. By following the tips in this blog post, you can prevent poison oak and ivy rash, avoid bug bites, and know what to do if you come into contact with these pests. Remember to keep the Tecnu Ivy Complete Kit on hand for relief in case of poison oak or ivy contact. With these preventative measures, you can enjoy gardening without worrying about the unwanted pests.