Protecting me from the ants but still look good

[LadyStitch]

Last spring on the last day of faire  I was badly attacked by fire ants just as I entered the faire.  As a real rennie trooper I took benadryl and kept at it.  All of the bites were on my feet, as I was wearing renissance Mocasins sandles.  Given the heat of the faire I like wearing them however this year I may be forced to wear boots.  My feet always sweat very badly when I do that.

Any suggestions on what I should do?  Chance the sandles, and madybe be bitten again?  Or wear the boots and get really hot?

Help!

[DonaCatalina]

Almost any insect repellant is going to wear off after a few hours.
Citronella oil is not recommended for prolonged contact with skin.
knee-high hose would work somewhat, but only offer minimal protection.
That pretty much leaves the boots.

[Dinobabe]

You could spray your feet with repellent all day.  I've done that before.
If you want to wear boots, buy wicking socks.  They will keep your feet much cooler.  I HIGHLY recommend Smartwool.  They are super cushy.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&searchKeywords=smartwool&searchCategory=search&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=search&pageSize=24&currentPage=1&ip_sortBy=&priceFilter=&catFilter=&manNameFilter=&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&filters=

[gem]

Well, I'd start by contacting Fair management to see if they have any plans in place to deal with the ants. I'm sure you weren't their only victim!  I know fire ants are more or less endemic to Texas, but there has to be *something* that can be done to manage the threat on site.

[isabelladangelo]

Ditto Gem.   This is a problem with the Faire, not with you. 

I'd contact them and see if they plan on using any sort of repellent or treating the grounds before the humans invade.   Fire ants are nasty lil buggers and I know there are some temporary solutions to the problem that work.  Since most faires are seasonal, temporary solutions are perfect!

[LadyStitch]

To be honest they didn't have fire ant problems until the very last weekend.  It was due to all the rain we had, and summer was in full swing.  I just don't want to have to walk all through the faire with ankles the size of grapefruits again. 

I'll look into the temporary sprays, just to be on the safe side.  Besides this year we have a season pass so we are parking in the "good" area.

[shadowcat546]

Hi. aw, dang. ant trouble sound depressing.  hope it gets cleared up.  Haven't had that trouble yet, as I'm in Michigan.  would it sound weird if I suggested that maybe management consider  a "green" method...like some type of lizard who would eat lots of the fire ants? (a natural predator?)  I'm sure it would be cheaper for Mgmt of Faire to just drop those anti-fire ant granules by spreader.
good luck.  __Shannon

[gem]

Shadow, I have to admit, my first thought was, "Anteater?" LOL

[Trillium]

The only suggestion I can give is to watch where you walk and stick to the main paths.  I almost always wear sandals to fair, unless its cold, and just watch where I go, especially when you get close to trees and benches.  Just a way of life in Texas!

[Ian Maxwell]

Trillium's signature has a good suggestion. Faerie Dust! 

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Just out of curiosity.....

We'll be attending Rendezvous at Scarby.  We've never been to Texas.  Should we expect fire ants there at that time?

Thanks.

[Trillium]

Trillium's signature has a good suggestion. Faerie Dust! 

Be careful what you do with that dust!! You could end up with monster ants!

And Lady Renee, yes there is always a possibility of fire ants in Texas.  Just watch out for what looks like a small mound of dirt. Or odd spots that others seem to step around...

[DonaCatalina]

Just out of curiosity.....

We'll be attending Rendezvous at Scarby.  We've never been to Texas.  Should we expect fire ants there at that time?

Thanks.

No, not inside the Faire. The groundskeepers do a good job of keeping the grounds inside free of ants. You might run into the occasional mound in the parking lot, especially after a rain. You wil notice that no one parks in a particular spot to keep from disturbing the little demons.

[Anna Iram]

Or perhaps just elevate yourself above them?   


http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/exhibitions/on_a_pedestal/index.shtml


I think the best advice is to wear your sandles and keep an eye out. We have them all over Florida, and it's rare that I step into one now as I know what to look for.

[Lady Catherine]

hi!

we have them bad in TN and GA in the summer too!!! and, as a person with bad visio, I have had my fair share of not seeing the mounds till it was WAAAAYYY too late!     

might i suggest Deep Woods Off as the spray, i know we have used it in some problem area re-enactments, where hte whole battlefield was eaten up!