The Lyme Disease cautionary sign we stumbled upon at Crane Beach.
My family and I were recently visiting Crane Beach here in Ipswich where we came upon this sign about Lyme Disease. We have prepared the text portion of the sign below so it is easier to read. This caution sign is just one example of the impact Lyme disease has on Coastal New England and the surrounding areas.
Lyme Disease Caution
Lyme Disease is a long-standing issue relevant to coastal New England, including Steep Hill Beach and Castle Hill. Lyme Disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of the black-legged deer tick; not all ticks carry the disease. Symptoms typically start one to three weeks after the bite of an infected tick and vary from mild to severe. Symptoms include an all expanding ring-like rash accompanied by fever and an illness resembling flu, and pain of joints. When diagnosed early, Lyme Disease responds to a variety of antibiotics. There is currently a vaccine available to help prevent the disease.
The trustees of Reservations, owners and managers of The Crane Estate, which includes Castle Hill and Steep Hill Beach, have taken numerous steps to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme Disease. These include mowing fields to reduce mouse and tick habitat and controlling the deer population. The Trustees of Reservations’ staff monitors tick, deer, and mice numbers at the Crane Estate throughout the year. Studies conducted by The Trustees have shown that these measures have significantly reduced the numbers of deer and mice on the property.
Due to our current management techniques, The Trustees of Reservations feel that the risk of Lyme Disease to visitors has been significantly reduced. Although Castle Hill function areas are virtually tick free, Castle Hill asks visitors to adhere to the following procedures:
- Confine activity to the designated walkways, paths, parking areas, and boardwalks. The beach itself is tick free and thus may be fully enjoyed.
- Refrain from “trekking” through the woods or bushes. Follow the posted instructions for access to the beach front.
- Check yourself and your family (especially children) for deer ticks after departing the area. Ticks may be carefully removed by using tweezers.
- Consult your family doctor if you suspect or know that you have been bitten by a deer tick.
- You have 24 hours to remove ticks before you are at risk of an infection.
We cannot begin to emphasize the importance of safe tick practices when you and your family are on outings, like a day at the beach. On the home front you can protect yourself, your family and your pets by using an intensive tick control program, like the ones we have here at Mosquito Squad of Leominster. We combine our safe and effective barrier treatment program with the implementation of highly effective tick tubes to reduce the risk of coming into contact with a potentially infected deer tick in your backyard. Contact us today to learn more.