A recent story on The Weston Forum.com discusses two studies being conducted in the state on Lyme Disease. The story reports there were 2,918 reported or probable Lyme Disease cases in Connecticut in 2013. Four hundred and forty-two of these cases were in Fairfield County with 10 in Weston. With 15% of the cases, our county unfortunately was well represented.
We know much more about Lyme Disease since the time it was first identified in CT. However, much more information and research is needed about this disease. Thirty percent of Lyme Disease victims may not develop the well-known bulls-eye rash of Lyme Disease. Once treated, some patients will be free of symptoms soon after treatment. Other patients treated for Lyme Disease will have lingering and debilitating issues for years. Why these differences occur remains a mystery.
One of the studies mentioned in The Weston Forum story focuses on the role of mice in the transmission of Lyme Disease. Scientists have known for some time that white-footed mice play a major role in the lifecycle of the tick and in the transmission of the disease. White-footed mice dens are home to many of the tick eggs and larvae that later hatch into nymph ticks. Nymph ticks are the ones most responsible for the number of Lyme Disease cases we see each year. This study is discovering the effectiveness of intervening in the tick life cycle by eliminating ticks with pesticide while in the mice dens. The pesticide used is not harmful to the mice.
The idea of using tick control in mice dens is not new. It has been a method used by Sub:BusinessName} for years. We call it our tick tube program. The tube contains material mice use in building their dens that is treated with pesticide. We know this program is effective based on the feedback we receive from customers. We are looking forward to hearing about the data that will be collected in the Western Connecticut State University bait box study in order to have science confirm our experience with real numbers.
Finally, the story mentions the Ridgefield Health Department’s Lyme Disease awareness program called BLAST. The “S” in BLAST is for mist. The program supports the effectiveness of yard barrier sprays in reducing tick populations in Fairfield County backyards. The story goes onto to say that an effective and proven barrier treatment “can reduce black-legged tick populations by 85-90%.” Again, our experience supports these numbers. Our comprehensive tick elimination program uses both tick tubes and yard barrier sprays to help keep your family and you safe from Lyme Disease. Combined, the tick tube program and barrier treatment will target nymph and adult ticks on your property. One bonus of the perimeter mist is that it also eliminates mosquitoes, another unwelcome summer guest in your yard.