DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have many knitting needles of various sizes to give away to a nonprofit that could use them, such as a school, summer program or nursing home. If interested, please email lyons_369@yahoo.com. — Beth, Greene

ANSWER: I know lots of nonprofits with such a need. Be ready for a full inbox!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: WCSH-6 aired an interesting segment about ticks showing four or five different ones, but I don’t think they showed what the tick looks like that gives you Lyme disease. People can’t be running to the emergency room every time they get bitten by a tick. It would  help to know what the tick looks like that could give us this disease. —Walter, Chesterville

ANSWER: Unfortunately, it has been discovered that we have much more than just Lyme disease to be concerned about when it comes to ticks. To answer your question, according to The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s website, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system.

Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings such as a rash and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent the disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, applying pesticides and reducing tick habitat. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can sometimes transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.

There’s a lot of information, along with pictures, about ticks and the diseases they carry on The Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s website https://tinyurl.com/ycdl2q63. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can ask your local librarian to help you look up photos to identify ticks or ask your health care provider for information.

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DEAR SUN SPOTS: When I read Sun Spots on June 22 regarding flea control, I also remembered that a very effective recipe for ant control is to mix equal parts Borax and powdered sugar and place the mixture in a jar lid or bottle cap in any area frequented by ants. It works. — Bethel, Auburn

ANSWER: I have used this remedy with great success. ‘Tis the season for bugs of all sorts! Send in what works for you as you attempt to keep those varmints at bay and I’ll print all your “recipes!”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We can’t seem to find where Bob’s Discount Furniture is. It’s advertised on channels 6 and 13 in Portland and on channel 27 in Boston. We’re moving the second week in July and want to buy a new bedroom set that we saw advertised. — Jan, Peru

ANSWER: Bob’s Discount Furniture is at 700 Gallery Blvd., Suite A, Scarborough. Give them a call at 396-9852. The store hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Good luck with your move and in finding that bedroom set!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.


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