Comments for Ask a Naturalist.com

Comment on What are these Mosquitoes? by Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:46:03 +0000

Another alternative is to put up bird houses and make your yard a haven for swallows. We have them in our barns and fields and not many mosquitos at all!

Comment on Lanolin and Sheep’s Wool Allergies by Tom

Tom — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:58:02 +0000

Sharon, well that certainly does sound like an allergic reaction, not irritation due to fiber size. The studies of allergies suggest that most people are suffering from irritation from fibers, not a true allergic reaction, but they also show that a small segment of the population has a true allergy to sheep, probably to lanolin. Have you ever noticed any reaction to cosmetics that contain lanolin?

Comment on Lanolin and Sheep’s Wool Allergies by Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:28:29 +0000

A couple of years ago I had a reaction. With the tips of four fingers I touched the “forehead” of a lamb. I barely touched the lambe due to slight wool reactions in my past. Swelling from hand to elbow….no airway rxn. Swelling went down with Benedryl. I do not recall how long it lasted but the swelling was significant. Allergy?

Comment on What is This Eel-like Fish? by Rick

Rick — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:06:31 +0000

Makes you wonder how many other biological identifications have confused two animals in close proximity for one – the Loch Ness monster, perhaps?

Comment on Caddisfly Home Decorating by Rick

Rick — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:02:23 +0000

Cool!