A FAMILIAR THREAT LOOMS — TAKE CARE

In Connecticut, there are two most common ticks: the Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) commonly known as the deer tick make up 81% of the state’s ticks submitted for testing in 2024. The American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, makes up an additional 13%.

Lyme disease, which is spread to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, has become the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States and results in morbidity in humans, especially children, according to a 2015 research paper published in Vector Borne Zoonotic Discovery.

Of the 3,303 ticks screens, 905, or 27.4% tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent for Lyme disease. An additional 26% had other agents, with 45.4% testing negative.

Homes in wooded areas and close to forest areas, common throughout the state, has increased the potential for contact with wildlife and ticks, according to the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station (ct.gov/caes). The CAES Active Tick Surveillance Program, part of a federal and state effort to do more tracking of ticks and diseases, has found an increase in new tick species in the state and a substantial increase in both expanse and density across New England, Connecticut Public Radio reported in May.

Increasing temperatures in New England, which are rising faster than the U.S. average, are creating better habitats for ticks, which prefer high humidity and can survive warmer winters. Newfound invasive ticks, like the longhorned ticks have bitten humans in CT.

Despite federal funding for the tick tracking program in 2024, both the governor and CT Appropriations Committee recommended in their budgets to give CAES an additional $95,000 annually in 2026 and 2027. This would still leave a $155,000 shortfall that was originally requested from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contract, CAES Entomology Department Head Philip Armstrong told CT Public Radio.

Managing ticks on your property, protecting yourself

On lawns, most deer tickets (82%) have been recovered within 9 ft. of the lawn edge. Especially in areas adjacent to woods, stonewalls, or ornamental plantings. They may also be found in groundcover like Pachysandra (yikes!)

Fewer ticks are found in sunny, manicured areas of the lawn.

Create a tick safe zone by altering the landscape to increase sunlight, reduce tick habitat and discourage rodent hosts. Create a clearly defined, manicured border with dry wood chip, tree bark, mulch or gravel barriers between woods that can reduce migration.

Remove leaf litter and adopt stone-based hardscape practices like gravel or tile in high-usage areas. Luckily, wildflower meadows, herbal gardens, etc. have very few ticks and may be an acceptable to grass in some areas, CAES says.

Discourage tick wildlife hosts (deer, mice, chipmunks), which act as vectors for transmission, by reducing rodent habitat and food sources. Clean up stonewalls near the home. Reduce deer activity by planting non-palatable varieties.

Chemical control (ick)

Acaricides (pesticide/insecticides that kill ticks) may be applied to lawns and woodland edges to kill tickets, but are mostly restricted to licensed commercial pesticide applicators. The optimal time for application is mid-May to early June, with a single application sufficient for a summer tick season, according to the CAES fact sheet.

A number of botanically-based compounds, known as the FIFRA 25(b) exempt list (aka minimum risk pesticides, do not replace the registration with the EPA, but are required to complete state registration in 10 states including Connecticut. Tests with these products are limited, but products with rosemary and peppermint oil or garlic juice have been shown to control ticks or suppress tick activity in 2-3 weeks, CAES says.

The researchers also note that the primary active ingredient in most insect/tick repellents today is DEET, a broad-spectrum repellent used in aerosol cans, pump spray bottles, sticks, lotions and cream for application to skin or clothing. It’s effects last one to several hours and must be reapplied periodically.

CAES says DEET has been used for over 40 years and the incidence of adverse reactions is low, but I would recommend you take extreme wariness and precaution when dealing with chemicals, insecticides,etc. in your yard — strong commercially applied or otherwise. My grandfather was an avid, Master Rose gardener who died of blood cancer from a lifelong exposure to chemicals like DDT and Round-Up (Glyphosate).

These common herbicides have serious, legitimate negative health impacts, don’t let Monsanto or anyone else tell you otherwise and please, practice care.

Avoid tick bites by:

• Walking in the middle of a trail. Ticks hang out on low-lying plants where the trail or grass meets the woods.
• Dress properly: wear light-colored clothing, tuck your pants into your socks or wear gaiters, and treat clothing with permethrin if needed.
• After venturing into tall grass or woods, be sure to scan your skin and hairline when you come inside. If you do find a tick, do not panic. Remove with tweezers (very carefully and slowly. If it looks like it has been attached for a few days, contact a doctor.
• If you do get a bite: monitor how you are feeling. See a doctor if you experience fever, headache, muscle and joint aches or fatigue. Lyme disease is really serious, stay safe and please take care.