Hike Tick-Free with Rent-o-Possum!

Tired of having to strip down and find a tick-check buddy after your hike? Fear no more - we’ve got you covered! Through several months of hard work, teaming up with multiple animal control and rehabilitation organizations, we are so excited to announce you can now rent an opossum at AO!

We all know what a tick is… these horrible little bloodsuckers attach to animals, birds, and humans to bore their little heads inside our skin and feed on us. So gross and uncalled for! Tickborne diseases are on the rise, particularly in the spring, summer and early fall when ticks are most active, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means if you are outdoors, you need to take precautions for yourself, your family and your pets before, during and after your visit.

The opossum has been touted for years as our fearless tick-eating forest friend. Some research suggest these furry little buggers can devour up to 5,000 ticks a day! At only $25 a day, now you can rent your very own opossum to take on your hike!

But maybe don’t stop there. Recent research has suggested opossum only eat ticks that get on their fur. So to be extra cautious, we highly recommend renting the “family package!” This rental includes mama opossum and five babies. Simply attach them all to you while you hike for maximum coverage against those devilish creepy crawlies! You save with the Family Package as well, only $149 per day!

Ready to reserve? No, no you’re not. There’s no way you’ve made it this far and still think this is real! But while we’ve got you here, ticks are horrible little arachnids and a huge problem in the forest if you’re not familiar with them. Here are some tips to remain tick-free:

• Stay on the trail. This minimizes contact with high grass and brushy areas.

• Wear a good brim hat, pants, long sleeves, high socks and gaiters when you’re able to. Breathable, thin tech fabrics have come so far. The less skin exposed, the better.

• Wear lighter colored clothing. This can make seeing ticks easier.

• If you’re inclined, properly use Permethrin on your clothing. Ticks die on contact.

• Carry a lint brush in your vehicle with you. When we return from a hike, we roll our clothes real quick. You’d be shocked how many times we’ve caught a tick.

• Have a tick key with you. These simple tools are worth their weight in gold.

• Shower when you arrive home. Check yourself thoroughly.

• If you remove a tick, put it in a sealable plastic bag, then order a kit from Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania. PA residents can have the tick tested for certain pathogens (including Lymes) free of charge, and its results are added to a larger database to identify problem areas.

Ticks are gross. But don’t let them, or our lack of opossum to rent, stop you from spending time under the canopy of our incredible Allegheny National Forest. Take basic precautions and enjoy all the forest has to offer!

Happy Trails!