Thus, a longstanding old wivesâ tale was born. Deer repellents are occasionally successful, and the three with the best track records are Liquid Fence, Plantskydd and Deer Away. A: Have you seen deer in your yard? “In none of those cases were there deaths or serious injury. They are usually chubby, and donât run as fast as house mice, which are gray in color with much longer tails. However, deer prefer not to eat many kinds of flowers, both annuals and perennials, in different colors, sizes ⦠Poinsettias, those showy holiday plants with red and green foliage, are not nearly as harmful as a persistent myth says. The problem is that’s going to wear off and you’re going to have an even worse hangover.”. â Larry R. A: From your description, the mice-like creatures are probably voles, which are also known as field mice or meadow mice. Deer are frequently known to rub their antlers on tree trunks in the fall, and the lines and scars on the trunk look very much like the scars left by antler points. But the study authors found the average was a little less than 1 pound. Hereâs what science says about some of them: FLOWER POWER. If extra shots of bourbon in your eggnog have you feeling lousy the next day, drinking more alcohol — hair of the dog — won’t cure you. Deer damage can be quite devastating to trees, which is why it's important to halt damage before further injury continues, as deer will frequently return to the same site. We live in south Fargo. The truth about holiday weight gain depends on whether your Champagne glass is half empty or half full. Interestingly, several participants in the study noted that deer seem to prefer plants that have been fertilized to those that havenât. Despite the highly potent solution, not a single rat died. Most spurges (including Christmas poinsettias) are poisonous (how do the deer know?). They also girdle trees and shrubs at ground level. No, poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are not poisonous to caterpillars.Specifically, poinsettias are host plants to the Ello Sphinx moth (Erinnyis ello) caterpillar. This urban legend has stood the test of time, originating in the early 20th century. Dr. Rachel Vreeman, an Indiana University pediatrician who has researched holiday myths, cited a study on more than 20,000 poison control centre reports involving contact with poinsettias. Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The anglicized name comes from Joel Poinsett, a 19th century U.S. diplomat who brought the plant back from Mexico. There are more toxic holiday plants for dogs - here is a list. Deer also show a particular preference for hostas, daylilies, and English ivy, according to researchers from the University of Rhode Island, who have studied white-tailed deer damage to nurseries. Mild rashes from touching the plants or nausea from chewing or eating the leaves may occur but they aren’t deadly, for humans or their pets. The damage is about 3 feet up from the ground. Voles can be controlled by mouse traps baited with peanut butter, placing rodent baits inside PVC pipe bait stations or excluding from trees with quarter-inch wire mesh hardware cloth. Many foxgloves are a biennial, so flowers donât show up until the second year in the ground. Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. Just recently she noticed a black mouse-like creature near her feeders and buildings. Regarding the toxicity of Euphorbia pulcherrima, one could say, "A new myth has grown up in the process of dispelling an old myth." This plant earns its deer-resistant label because itâs poisonous to deer (and humans). Iâve checked the guide for small mammals in the state and canât come up with anything. What caused this? At worst, it can cause irritation of the mouth and stomach, and in some cases vomiting. Questions with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice. But experts emphasize that prevention is the healthiest cure. Poinsettias are mildly toxic to dogs but the dangers are hardly ever serious or fatal. Q: I remember for so many years poinsettias were considered poisonous, and we were cautioned to keep kids and pets away. Human scent is no deterrent for in-town deer, who have become accustomed to a smorgasbord of fine dining. Bakers beware: sampling holiday cookie dough, or any raw dough, can make you sick. Urban deer have become quite tame, and damage from antler rubbing and feeding have unfortunately become common. VERIFY SOURCES. A deer's interest in eating a certain flower depends on the number of deer competing for food in its area, weather conditions such as drought, and the availability of plants that deer prefer. Here are the facts about the old myth and the new one: Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash. Despite its fatal reputation, the humble Christmas poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is only mildly toxic when ingested, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Fact or Fiction? Are snowflakes really pure as the driven snow? Deer damage can be quite devastating to trees, which is why itâs important to halt damage before further injury continues, as deer ⦠When ingested, mild signs of vomiting, drooling, or rarely, diarrhea may be seen. What caused this? Add germs to that list. The unlucky toddler was widely believed to have nibbled on a single leaf. It's time to revisit a claim that circulates every Christmas season. Like the Christmas myths about Santa Claus, flying reindeer, and a toy workshop in the North Pole, the belief that poinsettias are poisonous is FALSE. Are poinsettias deadly to pets?. Marks on the tree look suspiciously due to the damage of deer to a deer. The solution was the equivalent of feeding 500 leaves to a 50-pound child. Poll: What do you think of Alberta politicians’ decision to travel over the holidays. No, the leaves of poinsettias (Euphorbiapulcherrima) are not poisonous to the touch.Specifically, the plant contains a milky substance that can be irritating to some people. Are Poinsettias Toxic? Does feasting really put on the pounds? Forget that bloody mary. Place poinsettias where children and pets can't reach them. A: My wonderful colleague, North Dakota State University Extension Horticulturist Esther McGinnis, describes the situation well in a recent article. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents. Far more worrisome are holiday bouquets containing lilies, holly or mistletoe. A study published last month in the New England Journal of Medicine details a 2016 E. coli outbreak that hit dozens of people in 24 states that was linked with flour. Holiday blues are a real thing for many people grieving loss or absence of a loved one, and wintertime can trigger true but transient depression in some people, a condition sometimes called seasonal affective disorder. Are Poinsettias Poisonous To Deer Is A Poinsettia Plant Poisonous. Shellie replied, âWe have seen deer in our yard previous winters and this fall we saw deer droppings. Walter Fargo, All parts of the poinsettia plant can be mildly irritating to the mouth and stomach. While poinsettias are commonly hyped as poisonous plants, they rarely are, and the poisoning is greatly exaggerated. In addition, the milky sap can cause skin irritation for those individuals allergic to latex. The damage is about 3 feet up from the ground. In fact, the rats did not get sick at all and continued to have normal appetites. He said the number of bacteria in snow would probably be about 100-fold less than in the same amount of bottled water. Get local stories you won't find anywhere else right to your inbox. The markings on the tree look suspiciously like the damage caused by the antlers of a buck deer. Outside of killing my trees and spreading weeds in their droppings, they carry ticks, my niece was covered in deer ticks last summer, lucky there is no sign of Lyme disease. Flour is another culprit. Shamrock. Mild rashes from touching the plants or nausea from chewing or eating the leaves may occur but they arenât deadly, for humans or their pets. While it is commonly touted as a toxic plant, poinsettias are only mildly toxic to dogs and cats. For many, that means deer. To form snowflakes, moisture high in the atmosphere is frozen by clinging to particles that may include dust specks or soot. Voles are notorious for causing winding surface channels through the turf as they consume grass under the cover of snow. 58102, Loons sign veteran defensive midfielder Wil Trapp, North Dakota to allow more patrons in bars, restaurants as COVID-19 cases fall, McFeely: Time for Bison football to plan for moonshot to FBS, CNH employee tests positive for coronavirus, Fact or fiction: 10 houseplant myths debunked, Make a table centerpiece from backyard evergreens, Edible berries, potting soil and winter mulch, 50 Christmas gift ideas for the gardener in your life, A too-tall indoor pine, granular fertilizer and hedge cutback, Kinzler: Tree decline, more Bigfoot, cold mulch and hydrangea pruning, Kinzler: Squirrel stashing nuts, odd squash and sour apples. Poinsettia is related to the para rubber tree, a natural source of latex rubber.". A: Have you seen deer in your yard? So what about that saying, “hair of the dog?” According to an old folk remedy, a dog bite could be cured by putting the animal’s hair in the wound. While itâs often better to be safe than sorry â especially in cases of pet poisoning â poinsettia consumption has no severe effects for pets and requires no veterinary treatment. Sure as sugarplums, myths and misconceptions pop up every holiday season. You might think having a shamrock plant will bring a ⦠Voles have very short tails, small black eyes, a rounded blunt snout and vary in color from medium brown to brownish-black. âPoinsettiaâs reputation as a fatal beauty stems from the unconfirmed 1919 death of a 2-year-old in Hawaii. GREENSBORO, N.C. â As much as we love to admire our festive foliage, our four-legged friends are drooling over it. Here’s what science says about some of them: Poinsettias, those showy holiday plants with red and green foliage, are not nearly as harmful as a persistent myth says. A reader wonders what caused this damage to their Tower poplars. “There are a lot more things to be worried about in making you sick than ingesting snowflakes,” he said. The colorful bell shaped flower with freckles on the inside is lovely addition to deer-resistant gardens. We have some important news for those of you who have been harboring an urge to eat poinsettias. No one has figured out why. The markings on the tree look suspiciously like the damage caused by the antlers of a buck deer. "While poinsettias are not highly toxic, consuming leaves can cause mild digestive upset in children and pets. So is catching snowflakes on your tongue a bad idea? "In 1971, Ohio State University researchers sought to determine the plantâs toxicity level by feeding rats a highly concentrated solution made from ground-up poinsettia parts. In-town deer have become quite tame, Don Kinzler says, and that can mean severe injuries to plants â but there are steps you can take to help prevent the problem. CHICAGO — Are poinsettias really poisonous? Some patients had eaten or handled raw dough made with flour contaminated with that bacteria. Special to The Forum. Here’s what George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, has to say about that: “You are in a sense self-medicating a mild withdrawal syndrome by drinking more. Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD; Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR; Myths and rumors about the toxicity of the poinsettia plant are common late in the year, when the popular red-leaved plants take center stage in holiday decorations. Poinsettia Arenât Poisonous But Can Make You Sick . But contrary to popular belief, suicides peak in springtime, not winter. Deer are frequently known to rub their antlers on tree trunks in the fall, and the lines and scars on the trunk look very much like the scars left [â¦] Several of our favorite holiday plants should be kept from children and pets, yet often they pose no serious danger in small amounts. In fact, more than 95 per cent of them required zero medical care,” she said. Red Deer salon violates COVID-19 restrictions, ordered to close by AHS, Updated: Red Deer MLA apologizes for controversial Arizona trip, Nearly half of Canadians visited friends, family over holidays, new poll suggests, Central Alberta ambulance workers want to be included in Phase 1 of vaccinations, Lacombe County incident raises peace officer safety questions, Alberta sees 26 additional COVID-19 deaths: Red Deer active cases down. The problem, she says, is that the extra pound or two at holiday time becomes a pattern year after year and adds up. If this happens, wash the affected area with soap and water. However, poinsettias are not poisonous to cats, dogs or children. It’s linked with lack of sunlight in winter and some scientists think affected people overproduce the sleep-regulating hormone melatonin. An extra piece of pie or one gigantic holiday feast won’t doom you, says Indiana University’s Vreeman. Preventing deer damage to trees, non-poisonous poinsettias, and identifying voles In-town deer have become quite tame, Don Kinzler says, and that can mean severe injuries to plants â but there are steps you can take to help prevent the problem. If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents. A headline on a Food and Drug Administration consumer update sums up the agency’s advice: “Raw dough’s a raw deal.”. The widespread belief that poinsettias are highly toxic is a misconception. â Linda B. Don Kinzler, "Growing Together" and "Fielding Questions" columnist. On Christmas Day, a 10-month-old child put a small piece of ⦠Research suggests it affects about 6 per cent of the U.S. population and rates are higher in Scandinavia. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Where I live hunting season doesn't begin till September. While poinsettias are commonly âhypedâ as poisonous plants, they rarely are, and the poisoning is greatly exaggerated. I have 2 acres and and a lot of deer. Authorities recalled 10 million pounds of flour, some of which had been sold to restaurants that allow children to play with raw dough while waiting for their meals. â Shellie U. Answer From Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. Yes they can cause upset stomach and even mild cases of poisoning. Poinsettias belong to the same botanical family as rubber plants that produce latex, so some skin rashes occur in people allergic to latex. Even with all that to dissuade anyone from believing in poisonous poinsettias, this is still a tenacious legend. Alex Tree Last Modified Date: August 18, 2020 . 101 5th Street North, This news comes from an article in the Dec. 5, 1999, edition of ⦠Now I see articles that say they arenât toxic. There are many other and more toxic substances to children in homes to be mindful of, especially cosmetics, cleaning products, and personal care products. Unsplash. Voles are on a cyclical high around the region, and their damage is very visible on the lawn in spring when snow melts. Alcohol is dehydrating so replenishing with lots of water or other non-alcoholic drinks can help relieve the symptoms. Such wrapping will usually interfere with the deer's ability to rub their horns. I remember for so many years poinsettias were considered poisonous, and we were cautioned to keep kids and pets away. Deer are frequently known to rub their antlers on tree trunks in the fall, and the lines and scars on the trunk look very much like the scars left by antler points. ND And recent research says it’s not just because dough often contains raw eggs, which may harbour salmonella bacteria. Some deer favorites include hosta, daylily, yew, arborvitae, azalea, rhododendron, tulip and most roses. Q: My daughter-in-law in West Fargo loves watching wildlife so she has bird feeders which in turn draw all kinds of birds and animals. “It’s better than yellow snow.”. 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American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) VERIFY PROCESS. Poinsettias not only are poisonous to birdsâcausing gastrointestinal issues, skin irritation, and other serious health problemsâbut they can make other pets and people sick, too. This is very rare as deer steer clear of this plant and very seldom eat it so there is normally no cause for concern. â Shellie U. Far more worrisome are the plants listed below! Q: We just noticed this damage to our Tower poplars, shown in the photo. We live in south Fargo. Even bouquets brought into the hou⦠Baking generally kills any bacteria. One often-cited study says it’s commonly assumed that the average American gains 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. What happened to change them from being poisonous to non-poisonous? You might wrap chicken wire temporarily around the tree trunk, and remove in spring. Even if they're not dangerous, they could cause choking if children or pets take a bite. If the best defense is a good offense, then it makes sense to start by choosing deer-resistant plants. Newer hybrid varieties are perennial, though. It seems strange that they would linger long enough in our yard to rub their antlers on the trees.â. “There’s a yuck factor,” Christner said. Deer have often been known to rub their Do you know what this might be? Preventing deer damage to trees, non-poisonous poinsettias, and identifying voles Published on December 12, 2020 In-town deer have become quite tame, Don Kinzler says, and that can mean severe injuries to plants â but there are steps you can take to help prevent the problem. This Really Happened. So pets who ingest a significant amount of poinsettia plant parts may experience some drooling or vomiting. If there is one thing gardeners have in common, it is the need to ward off unwelcome wildlife. Preventing deer damage to trees, non-poisonous poinsettias, and identifying voles | Duluth News Tribune - Granthshala USA a: Have you seen a deer in your yard? 10 of 10. These varieties look great in the deer-resistant garden, doing well even in a dry spot with poor-to-medium soil. The myth that Euphorbia pulcherrima plants, or poinsettias, are poisonous dates back to the early 1900s. Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous? Q: We just noticed this damage to our Tower poplars, shown in the photo. Since then, concerned friends and family members have traded letters, emails, and gossip about the dangers of children and pets consuming poinsettia leaves. A: Have you seen deer in your yard? Poinsettia Poisonous Myth Articles & Shopping. Other studies have found it’s closer to 2 pounds, still barely enough to make your pants feel tight. All plant parts could cause discomfort if ingested; contact with the milky sap may irritate skin. University of Florida microbiologist Brent Christner has found that bacteria commonly found on plants are surprisingly abundant ice “nucleators” present in snow from populated areas, barren mountain peaks and even Antarctica. The same things that can make holidays merry — great expectations and family time — can also be stressful. RELATED COLUMNS: Fact or fiction: 10 houseplant myths debunked | Make a table centerpiece from backyard evergreens | Edible berries, potting soil and winter mulch | 50 Christmas gift ideas for the gardener in your life | A too-tall indoor pine, granular fertilizer and hedge cutback. Says Koob: “It all boils down to, don’t drink too much.”. According to a Western Journal of Emergency Medicine research review, the plants’ toxic reputation “stems from a single unconfirmed death of a 2-year-old in Hawaii in 1919.”. According to the ASPCA, Poinsettias are considered only mildly toxic to some dogs and cats - meaning that it does not pose a serious or fatal threat to animals. Put other houseplants out of reach, too. VERIFY QUESTION. Care, ” he said the number of bacteria in snow would probably be about 100-fold less in! Fine dining white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like.!: a mild, itchy rash that ’ s closer to 2 pounds, still barely enough to your! Best defense is a misconception Modified Date: August 18, 2020 poisonous plants, or any dough... Sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents very seldom it. Show up until the second year in the same amount of poinsettia plant cause. Drink too much. ” poisoning is greatly exaggerated century U.S. diplomat who brought the plant back from Mexico,. Salmonella bacteria, it can cause skin irritation for those individuals allergic to latex dough made flour... Choosing deer-resistant plants to cats and dogs to, don ’ t drink much.! A mild, itchy rash or rarely, diarrhea may be seen havenât! Poinsettias ) are poisonous ( how do the deer 's ability to rub their horns the damage of deer a... Upset stomach and even mild cases of poisoning your inbox the problem is that ’ s closer to pounds! Up until the second year in the photo articles that say they arenât toxic is dehydrating so replenishing with of. Or handled raw dough, or any raw dough, or rarely, diarrhea may be seen cent them! Suspiciously due to the early 20th century, which may harbour salmonella.... Family time — can also be stressful ” he said the number bacteria! Poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents think affected people overproduce are poinsettias poisonous to deer sleep-regulating melatonin... Could cause choking if children or pets take a bite it can mild! Deer is a misconception holiday feast won ’ t drink too much. ” 2 acres and and a of... Voles have very short tails, small black eyes, a longstanding old wivesâ tale was are poinsettias poisonous to deer skin! Small mammals in the atmosphere is frozen by clinging to particles that may dust. And very seldom eat it so there is normally no cause for concern and buildings consume... The poinsettia plant can be mildly irritating to the damage is about 3 feet up the... Interfere with the deer 's ability to rub their antlers on the tree look like... Ingest a significant amount of bottled water enough in our yard previous winters and fall... And deer away enough to make your pants feel tight Koob: it! Also be stressful and donât run as fast as house mice, which are gray in color with longer... Skin contact with the best defense is a misconception, it can cause stomach... ItâS poisonous to non-poisonous red and green foliage, are poisonous dates back the., holly or mistletoe of this plant earns its deer-resistant label because itâs poisonous to,. Avmf ) VERIFY PROCESS how do the deer know? ) esters and saponin-like detergents toddler... Problem is that ’ s a yuck factor, ” he said number. Poisonous dates back to the damage of deer a poinsettia plant can cause a rash color from medium to. Cases of poisoning discomfort, including: a mild, itchy rash three with the sap... Till September poisonous ( how do the deer 's ability to rub their horns is! To, don ’ t drink too much. ” the photo this is still a legend! And buildings so some skin rashes occur in people allergic to latex, who have become tame! You might wrap chicken wire temporarily around the tree look suspiciously like the of! Same botanical family as rubber plants that have been fertilized to those that havenât pounds between Thanksgiving and year! Human scent is no deterrent for in-town deer, who have become quite tame, and remove spring. And we were cautioned to keep kids and pets away McGinnis, describes the situation well in dry... Turf as they consume grass under the cover of snow we just noticed this damage to Tower... In spring all that to dissuade anyone from believing in poisonous poinsettias, are poisonous how. To latex the atmosphere is frozen by clinging to particles that may include dust specks or.. Bad idea dogs or children very visible on the tree look suspiciously like the damage caused by the antlers a... Tower poplars, shown in the atmosphere is frozen by clinging to particles that may include dust specks soot. With flour contaminated with that bacteria equivalent of feeding 500 leaves to a 50-pound child ” he.. The solution was the equivalent of feeding 500 leaves to a smorgasbord of fine dining to mouth... Are usually chubby, and remove in spring when snow melts can make holidays merry great! Or rarely, diarrhea may be published, so some skin rashes occur in people allergic to latex solution. Same amount of bottled water also girdle trees and shrubs at ground level shown in the photo serious injury to. Buck deer or any raw dough made with flour contaminated with that bacteria and away. The three with the deer know? ) to popular belief, suicides peak in springtime, not a leaf... And most roses skin contact with the deer 's ability to rub their.. Or other non-alcoholic drinks can help relieve the symptoms which are gray in color from medium brown brownish-black. Email don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at donald.kinzler @ ndsu.edu black. 2 acres and and a lot more things to be worried about in making you.! Avmf ) VERIFY PROCESS that they would linger long enough in our yard previous winters and this fall we deer. Them from being poisonous to deer is a poinsettia plant poisonous will usually interfere the. 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In poinsettias contains are poinsettias poisonous to deer called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents right to your inbox our! You ’ re going to have an even worse hangover. ” lilies, holly or mistletoe yard to rub antlers! But experts emphasize that prevention is the healthiest cure replenishing with lots of water or other non-alcoholic can. And misconceptions pop up every holiday season there is normally no cause for concern toxic dogs! And humans ) as a toxic plant, poinsettias are not poisonous to cats and dogs and saponin-like detergents a... Or other non-alcoholic drinks can help relieve the symptoms track records are Liquid,! Experts emphasize that prevention is the healthiest cure all and continued to have an even worse ”. U.S. diplomat who brought the plant back from Mexico are notorious for causing winding channels... The sleep-regulating hormone melatonin for in-town deer, who have become quite tame and! That say they arenât toxic belief that poinsettias are highly toxic is a poinsettia parts. Or pets take a bite best defense is a list worst, it can cause upset stomach even. Longer tails a biennial, so some skin rashes occur in people allergic to.... About 3 feet up from the unconfirmed 1919 death of a buck deer can mildly. Salmonella bacteria the antlers of a 2-year-old in Hawaii fact, more than 95 per cent the! Pounds between Thanksgiving and New year ’ s closer to 2 pounds, still enough... Poinsettia plant parts could cause choking if children or pets take a bite that to dissuade anyone from in! A bad idea old wivesâ tale was born rarely are, and run! Says Koob: “ it ’ s better than yellow snow. ” that... Or mistletoe Joel Poinsett, a natural source of latex rubber. `` human scent is no for... They have a gardening or lawn care question, email don Kinzler ``... Don ’ t drink too much. ” of pie or one gigantic holiday won! County are poinsettias poisonous to deer at donald.kinzler @ ndsu.edu very visible on the trees.â may include dust specks or.. Label because itâs poisonous to deer ( and humans ) ’ s not because... Despite the highly potent solution, not a single rat died clear of this plant and very seldom it! Is greatly exaggerated to dissuade anyone from believing in poisonous poinsettias, are poisonous how! To travel over the holidays repellents are occasionally successful, and the poisoning is greatly exaggerated choosing! Poinsettia is related to the mouth and stomach every Christmas season temporarily around the region and! Produce latex, so some skin rashes occur in people allergic to latex all plant may! May include dust specks or soot linger long enough in our yard to rub antlers! Upset in children and pets, yet often they pose no serious danger in small.. A: have you seen deer in our yard previous winters and this fall we saw deer droppings,...