To remove them, use two small sticks to scoop and flick them, one by one, from the body. Wear body armor, gloves, helmet and eye protection when doing so.
The needles have skins, so afterwards, the holes get infected.
I can't tell which department the fire guys are with, but this picture is Arizona.
AZ is right. That stuff used to be called "Jumping Cholla" cactus, the one and only time I got close enough to get stuck, about fifty-five years ago, up around Saguaro Lake. My grandfather used pliers to remove the spines that didn't come out when he pulled the cactus off my leg.
They ought to plant this all along the border, if you get my drift ;-)
GOTdamn. Yep, those little buggers hurt goin' in, comin' out, and for a bit after, too. I'm always on the lookout for 'em when out in the sticks. Loose pants and high-top boots when in pursuit of the birds - or other critters, as the season permits. Then there's cat-claw... I swear, out here in the Northern Sonoran Desert, it ain't just the javelinas or mountain lions that are out to get ya - the plant life is, too!
Ah, the infamous Cholla (or jumping) cactus.
ReplyDeleteTo remove them, use two small sticks to scoop and flick them, one by one, from the body. Wear body armor, gloves, helmet and eye protection when doing so.
The needles have skins, so afterwards, the holes get infected.
I can't tell which department the fire guys are with, but this picture is Arizona.
Been there done that.
ReplyDeleteWhat hole is he on?
ReplyDeleteMike in Fullerton
Guess he zigged when he shoulda zagged
ReplyDeleteAZ is right. That stuff used to be called "Jumping Cholla" cactus, the one and only time I got close enough to get stuck, about fifty-five years ago, up around Saguaro Lake. My grandfather used pliers to remove the spines that didn't come out when he pulled the cactus off my leg.
ReplyDeleteThey ought to plant this all along the border, if you get my drift ;-)
GOTdamn. Yep, those little buggers hurt goin' in, comin' out, and for a bit after, too. I'm always on the lookout for 'em when out in the sticks. Loose pants and high-top boots when in pursuit of the birds - or other critters, as the season permits. Then there's cat-claw... I swear, out here in the Northern Sonoran Desert, it ain't just the javelinas or mountain lions that are out to get ya - the plant life is, too!
ReplyDeleteEverything in the desert either sticks, stings, or stinks.
ReplyDeleteBest way to get the clumps off is with a stiff, wide-tooth plastic comb.