It is Lyme disease season again.
The disease has become one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the United States. Cases have been reported in all 50 states with the greatest number being reported in New England. Lyme disease was first recognized in Lyme, Connecticut in 1977 as Lyme arthritis. Since then, Lyme disease has become the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States
But now the citizens of Connecticut are fighting back with a bit of beautification.
“I have had Lyme disease and have gotten treated with antibiotics,” says Marilyn Richard, the owner of the Mare’s Inn bed and breakfast in Ledyard, Connecticut.
Marilyn and the Ledge Light Health district in which she lives have decided to go on the offensive with what is essentially a great defensive line against deer, since deer carry the deer tick, the tiny critters that carry Lyme disease.
Marilyn now cuts her grass once a week, and keeps her shrubs well manicured, with the goal of keeping deer away.
Local health departments across Connecticut are encouraging residents to use similar landscaping techniques. The hope is to reduce Lyme disease risk where that risk is the greatest.
Cindy Barry, a representative of the Ledge Light Health District in Connecticut, says
“75% of people that get Lyme disease get it from their own property, even if it’s just from walking to their mailbox or sitting in the backyard. I think one of the things we’re trying to do is to advocate that people take stock of what their surroundings look like. And there are a lot of things that people can do.”
Like putting up fences to keep the deer out, and planting trees, shrubs and flowers that deer don't like to eat. Shrubs like the boxwood or evergreens are popular. “My hedges are a kind of prickly hedge that deer don’t nibble on too much,” says Marilyn.
Other recommendations to combat Lyme disease include:
Keep one’s lawn mowed, cut overgrown brush, and clear any leaf litter away from the home.
Inspect pets daily and remove any ticks found.
Landscapers and health officials recommend moving playgrounds out of shady areas and away from the edges of wooded property.
When working or playing outside in areas that ticks inhabit you should wear light colored clothing (to spot the ticks easily), long sleeved shirts and long pants.
Create a “tick barrier” by tucking pants into socks and shirt into pants.
Consider using insect repellent, according to manufacturer’s instructions, when planning to be outdoors.
Frequently check clothing and skin very carefully after being outdoors in tick infested areas and remove any ticks immediately.
The state of Connecticut recently received a federal grant that would provide as much as $3 million over four years to study whether such community-based Lyme disease prevention programs are working.
Sometimes it takes some sacrifice.
“I took down my bird feeders because wherever there’s food the ticks are going to come. That’s a big concession because I love birds,” exclaims Marilyn. But she says it’s worth it. “I guess it’s beginning to work I guess, they know they’re not welcome.”