Ticks on the rise across New England (Lyme disease & Powasson )

AP & Fox5 ^ | 6/21/17 update | MICHAEL CASEY and LISA RATHKE

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

MARSHFIELD, Vt. (AP) — Tick numbers are on the rise across New England, raising the prospect of an increase in Lyme and other diseases associated with the blood suckers.

Much of the region got a respite last year as the drought took a toll on ticks, whose numbers drop as the humidity falls below 85 percent.
But the drought is largely gone from the region and ticks are taking advantage.

Residents in Maine are complaining they are finding as many as 30 ticks at a time on their clothes,
and public health officials in Vermont are reporting an above-average rate of emergency room visits for tick bites in the last three weeks.

Alan Eaton, a tick expert with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension,
said the high numbers he has seen in New Hampshire are in line with what was expected, considering the high moisture levels and short dry periods.

"It's a really bad year," Eaton said.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

On top of that, ticks have taken advantage of a proliferation in their favorite hosts, especially mice, chipmunks and other small rodents.
But it isn't so much the number of rodents this year that is critical. Related Headlines

Researchers from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, which for the past decade has studied ticks,
found that a bevy of acorns one year can lead to a spike in Lyme-infected ticks two years later.
They documented a bumper acorn crop in 2015 that resulted in an increase in small-rodent numbers a year later.
As a result, they projected that 2017 would be especially bad for Lyme-disease ticks.

(Check out the Related 5 Headlines at the news source website)

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Infectious Disease Ping : Ticks

This will be a bad year for ticks due to temperature and humidity, and increased numbers of tick carriers.

[LostInBayport]

This has already been a terrible season. I’m not the biggest outdoors type person and I’ve found a tick or two crawling on me. They fall off the trees I think. I know people and animals that have contracted Lyme disease.

Nasty blood sucking parasites that spread misery. Almost as bad as Massachusetts politicians.

[Morpheus2009]

Doesn’t this make anyone question why they do not make a mandatory Lyme vaccine rule?

[SecAmndmt]

Ticks are a big enough threat that DDT use should be re-considered

[Mr. Douglas]

Simple solution:
Permathrin

https://www.amazon.com/Permethrin-36-8-permethrin-Quart-6666105/dp/B0048EY6KY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498084237&sr=8-1&keywords=permethrin

[Mr. Douglas]

Simple solution:
Permathrin

https://www.amazon.com/Permethrin-36-8-permethrin-Quart-6666105/dp/B0048EY6KY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498084237&sr=8-1&keywords=permethrin

And permathrin is not a repellant. It is an insecticide. i.e. it KILLS them.

Check this out:
http://www.tickinfo.com/permethrin.htm

We have a lot of insects in central KY. I discovered permathrin and just spray it on all my outdoor work clothing. It lasts for many washings. And it is really hard for human skin to absorb it.

[wtd]

Morpheus2009 wrote: "Doesn’t this make anyone question why they do not make a mandatory Lyme vaccine rule?

Albeit the Lyme vaccine I have familiarity with - was for my puppy - note: THE CANINE LYME VACCINE DID NOT WORK

Despite our efforts at vaccinating our puppy, treating our property for ticks and other insects, treating the puppy with preventative tick/flea treatments - my dog got Lyme disease and the onset was fast. Diagnosis was quick too.

The pharmaceutical company which manufactured the Lyme vaccine paid for my dog's treatment which appears to have been effective (this took place 4 years ago when my dog was less than a year old).

Since then, my dog is less active and is almost completely blind - although the canine opthamologist states this pups loss of eyesight was not related to lyme disease, this poor dog has had a run of bad luck.

Last summer, I had this precious lap dog resting on my lap when I noticed some strange movement by his floppy ear. I lifted his ear and was stunned to discover a ping pong sized ball of moving ticks actively moving away from sunlight. UGH! Fortunately, a rapid hose down and flea bath eliminated that birthing army of disgusting ticks permanently and no harm came to anyone or any animal in my residence. We reside in the heart of Lyme disease territory - which is why we take multiple precautions against it.

[Semper911]

Simple solution: Permathrin

Unless you have cats. It is safe for kids and dogs, but it kills cats.

[mcshot]

Good to know.

[kiryandil]

I think it's REALLY toxic for cats.

So be sure to add that warning.

[whinecountry]

Your dog is adorable, so sorry for his troubles.

[Bonemaker]

Can we engineer them to be democrat selective?

[libertylover]

I can’t believe it. I scanned the article and didn’t see even 1 person who claimed it was because of climate change.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Nasty blood sucking parasites that spread misery. Almost as bad as Massachusetts ALL politicians.

[The_Republic_Of_Maine]

Ticks are a big enough threat that DDT use should be re-considered

There would be a huge black market for DDT.

[1_Rain_Drop]

My dog’s vet says that there is a new vaccine Lyme vaccine for dogs which should be better than the previous one. I’m not vaccinating my dog. The side effects are too scary.

I’ve read that coconut oil with a few drops of Lavender and Tea Tree oil repels the ticks. I’m giving that a try on the dog and me.

We are so swamped with ticks here in Upstate NY that it’s a daily occurrence I see a tick walking across my computer screen. I have an alcohol jar on my desk where I dump the suckers I find. I rather deal with cockroaches or fleas.

[RegulatorCountry]

Plant some lavender, citronella grass, lemon verbena and holy basil in a planter by your door. Grab a handful, roll it vigorously between your hands and rub it on him. Yourself, too. Works as well as DEET. Smells good, looks pretty by the door.

[RegulatorCountry]

Pyrethrin is naturally occurring in daisies and chrysanthemums. I’ve been reading up on natural plants that are insect repellent due to my mother developing an interest. You’d be surprised. Plant basil in between your tomatoes, they don’t just taste good together.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***they are finding as many as 30 ticks at a time***

Posh! I can show you areas in Arkansas that will give you three times that many! And what the ticks miss the chiggers will finish.