Viewing post #845206 by Frillylily

needrain said:Even if the idea was appealing, there are just too many hazards to exposed skin here. Aside from the harsh sun, there are numerous insects waiting to take samples. Really mosquitoes aren't any worse than a couple of tiny little insects that get you. I think some must live in the trees and just wait for you to walk under. I dislike caps and hats, but find they are necessary anymore. I think bare feet would be a disaster. This week I gathered my 4th bucket of Opuntia seedlings and found a nest of Tasajillo under one tree. That's in addition to the cute little barrel type cactus that I hate to mow over but still wouldn't be kind to an unprotected toe. Since my 'yard' was formerly a pasture, a lot of the plants that grow aren't really civilized so they produce sticker type seeds. And there's the stinging nettle. A small, non-descript plant just waiting to deal you misery if you brush against it. Fire ants and harvester ants, too. Even sandals aren't good footwear here. Not to mention the occasional rattlesnake and copperhead, more often the latter but you can never rule out either one resting from the nighttime activities that ended in the yard. Only one copperhead so far this spring, but it would be highly unusual if that was all. I left out wasps and scorpions as they are about the least likely to get you - or so I say, but they are the ones I've probably suffered from the most over the years. I could put up a 'clothing optional' sign and after a while you probably wouldn't see all that much exposed skin!