Scotland County Health Department / Home Health Agency

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Weekly Word, It's Tick Season- prime time.

In this part of the world we are all familiar with ticks. The small blood sucking relative of spiders that can transmit serious diseases, making awareness, prevention and prompt removal important. Ticks are most active from early spring through late fall, with prime activity from April to July. In fall they will slow in activity and unfortunately the cold doesn't kill them. They go dormant on really cold days, usually when the temperature is below freezing only to pop out again when it gets a little above freezing.

Ticks eat in cycles and can go 200 days without food or water. Most require a single blood meal during each of their three life cycles therefore called 3- host ticks. Meaning, they actively seek, eat, then drop off a host at each of their 3 life stages.

Some helpful info on ticks: they crawl up. Ticks don't jump, fly, or drop from trees like once believed. They are typically on tall grasses or the ground and hitch a ride when you brush by them. For most tick-borne diseases, you have around 24 hours to remove a feeding tick before it transmits a disease or infection. Coming in from the outside and showering can help remove any unattached trespassers. Check yourself carefully and consider doing it more than once, like again at bedtime. You will be amazed how many avoid the first inspection.
Think of a tick as a germ filled sack. Squeezing an attached tick too hard can force all the germs up and into you- host number 1, 2 or 3. It is a good idea to use pointed tweezers that can grab them at skin level to avoid squeezing and pull them up and out.

Wear protective clothing when going out in tick territory. Light colored clothes let you spot them easier. Many people tuck pants into socks or wrap pant legs with duct tape inside out so the sticky side is out and ticks get stuck while attempting to crawl up. Pets can be tick taxis so check them when coming in from outside. They are often found in pet's ears, tail, toes, groin around the collar and even on the gums although they can be anywhere. Ticks are often found in long grass, woodpiles and anywhere it's moist and shaded.

There are chemical and natural repellants you can use when going out in their habitat. Natural repellants, which include essential oils, are found to be effective but may need to be reapplied every few hours. After touching a tick be sure to wash your hands and once one has been removed it might be a good idea to clean the area with rubbing alcohol, iodine or soap and water. Don't be a good host.

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

Weekly Word, Gardening/Planting crops by the Moon, no not in your P.J.s
Moon or lunar planting, has been practiced for hundreds of years all across the world. Pliny the Elder, a Roman historian, wrote about it in the first century, 23 AD. Chinese, Babylonians, Native Americans and even Benjamin Franklin (who was the father of the modern almanac), followed it and Benjamin even published the lunar calendar to help Colonial farmers.

What is it? A tested method of planting garden/crops according to the moon phases and the effects of them to get a bigger, healthier yield. The moon goes through four primary phases: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. Each phase has unique characteristics that influence plant growth through its gravitational pull, light cycles and phases. These affect water, energy availability, sap flow, root development, germination and plant vitality differently.
The New Moon is ideal for planting seeds whose fruit grow above ground. The moon's gravitational pull is believed to be stronger, drawing water up in the soil encouraging seed germination and promoting healthy growth. Leafy annuals like lettuce, cabbage, broccoli etc do well when planted during the New Moon phase.
The First Quarter (also known as the Waxing Moon) begins 7 days after the New Moon when the right half of the moon is illuminated. It is the best time to sow seeds that require strong growth above ground like leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs. It is also an optimal time to fertilize as the sap flows upward from roots to leaves and stems, also benefiting foliage and stem growth.
Full Moon is known for peak energy and light levels. It is a good time to plant fruiting crops, same as the First Quarter. It is also a good time to harvest plants as they are thought to be the most potent, having all their sap/nutrients in the fruit.
Last Quarter (also known as the Waning Moon) when the left half of the moon is illuminated creating a "C." It is the best phase to plant root crops like carrots and potatoes as growth underground is strong. It is also a time to w**d and prune plants allowing them to conserve energy before the cycle starts over!
Transplanting Plants is best done during the last quarter (now) or Waning Moon as roots establish more quickly and therefore stabilizes the seedlings. Full Moon is also favorable for transplanting as sap flow is high.
So where are we in Northern, Missouri today? As of May 14th, we are in the Last Quarter/Waning Crescent as well as tomorrow. Saturday the 16th is the New Moon and the 17th starts the Waxing Crescent. Follow up for more information on the Farmers Almanac online!

Michelle Chrisman,
Health Educator

05/06/2026

Knowing when and how to wean your baby can be confusing. Let WIC help guide you. Contact your WIC local agency for more information. https://mohealth.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d8d6ec13febb4a45919a66aab55a6b90

05/06/2026

Lori Moots-Clair;​Holt, Nancy​
Weekly Word, Kids and summer break.

Kids do well with some structure and routine. Keeping a simple routine, at least, will help kids in transitioning from school to home. If you plan to have structure for your child, be prepared and don't wait, start it on day one of break. It is always easier to go from structure to structure without a break in between.
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While summer is for fun, many people do their work in the mornings and play in the afternoons. Kids might read, write a few sentences to keep their skills sharp and prevent the boredoms! It is also a good time to teach children a new chore/life skill and lighten your load. Long-term studies from Harvard found children who regularly do chores have higher self esteem and are happier and more successful in adulthood. Sounds like a win/win!
Scheduling playdates or group activities also eases the transition for kids. Maybe start summer traditions- park picnics, Friday smores, family water fight night... whatever says "fun" to your family. Family fun helps keep hearts happy. If you have a calendar marked with playdates and activities, kids enjoy following or looking ahead in anticipation.
Summer is the perfect time for simple breakfasts, lunches and dinners- more time equals more fun! Use community resources for free or low cost entertainment. Check out local libraries, parks, pools and lakes! Some lakes have designated bike paths to ride on. Electronics can be used as an end of the day reward for getting everything done. It takes some time to plan but what gets planned gets done. Summer and kids- it's all about making memories- enjoy the adventure!
Health Educator, Michelle Chrisman

Summer Activity Ideas:
Go on a hike
Backyard obstacle course
Play in the sprinkler
Slip and slide
Water balloons
Make a fort
Catch bugs
Grow flowers
Lemonade stand
Creek stomping
Make homemade popsicles

04/30/2026

Weekly Word, Relationship Builders

Our relationships are everything, we can always make little improvements.

DO tell your people you appreciate them, who doesn't like to be complimented and feel appreciated.
NOTICE things they do and tell them about it. Caught being cool!
DO nice unexpected things to keep life happy. Steal them for a coffee and conversation or bring a treat or craft to do together. Things you don't normally do.
DEDICATE time for nothing but conversation- grow by talking and listening well.
EXCUSE yourself if things get tense. Just a minute or change of scenery can make a difference.
DITCH DISTRACTIONS, screens, computers or maybe other people.
IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS, ask questions, learn what you can about the conversation.
ACTIVELY LISTEN, concentrate on them and their speech.
FAMILY, Have time to talk about feelings, it's especially good for children. It gives opportunities to work through and learn through life.
INTERACTION TIME: with each family member, make them special!
SCHEDULE FUN with food, BBQ's, dice games, outdoor games, crafts, walks etc. Take care of your people, they are your most valuable assets.

Michelle Chrisman,
Health Educator

04/23/2026

At six months old, your baby may begin to:
• Put things in her mouth to explore them.
• Reach to grab a toy that she wants.
• Close lips to show she doesn't want more food.

To learn more about your baby's development, visit https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/6-months.html.

04/15/2026

Fresh herbs are now WIC-approved to purchase with your monthly cash value benefits (CVB)!

Some of the approved fresh herbs include basil, bay leaves, chives, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.

Not approved: Dried herbs, spices, pastes, seeds and plants.

https://health.mo.gov/living/families/wic/approved-food-list.php

Comment or DM if you have any questions.