Observation: After living for 24 years in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and walking in the woods or hiking almost every day I have found that I am re- thinking my daily walks. Up until 2 years ago the incidence of ticks either deer or dog was almost unheard of, never would you walk or hike and come in contact with a tick. In the last few years the incidence of finding ticks has increased dramatically to an epidemic proportion. I, not believing all the hype, went for a walk on the trail that I have walked for 20 years the other day (having never had a single tick on me before). I wore long pants tucked into boots and a long sleeved shirt. The dogs are all treated for fleas and ticks (not with frontline, which apparently attracts the ticks now due to immunity by the ticks). Through out the hike we were picking ticks off the dogs and ourselves and when we got home we found an additional 20 or so ticks on ourselves and each of the dogs. Disgusting and disturbing. Most of the ticks were the large dog ticks, but still they were of a number that is mind boggling. I am not certain what has caused this dramatic increase in the tick population, but I am certain it has to do with the change in the weather patterns and the severity of the winters, which are far shorter and milder in the past. This epidemic rise in ticks has taken the area by surprise and we are all scrambling to come up with solutions so that we can continue to enjoy the outdoors. As for around the house keeping the lawn short and having a flock of chickens seems to he quelling the tide of these horrible little bugs.
LEO says: According the the State of Vermont, Department of Public Health, "Thirteen different species of ticks have been identified in Vermont (click here for the full list). Of these 13 species, five are known to bite humans and four of those five can transmit diseases. However, over 99% of all tickborne diseases reported to the Vermont Department of Health are caused by only one tick: the blacklegged tick." The Department of Health actually tracks tick related hospital visits statewide. You can see current updates at this site. In regards to tick borne disease, it states, " Blacklegged ticks can carry more than one pathogen at the same time. Almost 5% of the ticks tested positive for two or more pathogens. The most commonly found combination (4.0%) found in ticks were the pathogens that cause anaplasmosis and Lyme disease."
Department of Public Health also has a "Tick Tracker" site where you can submit a report. LEO Network encourages members to participate in local monitoring programs. You can submit your observation to "Tick Tracker" here.
See also the recent article from North Country Now about the tick season in Upstate New York. According to Dr. Daniel Soule, an infectious disease specialist the increase may be due to a rise in the mouse population. While Adult ticks feed on deer, the nymphs attach to mice. Paul Hetzler of the Cornell University Cooperative Extension Service says that to control ticks, you have to control mice. "Hetzler says researchers from downstate are finding an average of 150 deer ticks per mouse this year, a significant spike from previous years when the number was closer to 25. He suggests waging war on mice to combat the tick population. One issue is that if you trap or poison a mouse, ticks will drop off and find another host. Hetzler suggests that giving mice new beds may be the most effective way to reduce tick populations around the home."
Resources:
BE TICK SMART – Protect • Check • Remove • Watch, "The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent tick bites. In Vermont, tickborne illnesses are most often transmitted between early spring and late fall since ticks are most active during warm months. Take action to decrease your risk of infection. Wear a repellent containing up to 30% DEET, check your body daily for ticks, and limit your exposure to ticks and tick habitats." Source: Immunizations & Infectious Disease, Vermont Department of Health
Tickborne Diseases of the United States – A Reference Manual for Health Care Providers, Fourth Edition, 2017. Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Observations From Members