Lyme Disease

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted via the bite of a black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. The symptoms include a fever, headaches, and fatigue, but the most telling symptom is the distinctive “bulls eye” rash (called erythema migrans). This rash does not appear in every Lyme case, however, and you should go to a doctor if you are experiencing any Lyme-like symptoms after a tick bite regardless of whether or not you have erythema migrans.

Transmission occurs approximately 36-48 hours after the initial bite of an infected tick and initial symptoms can appear 3-30 days after the bite. If left untreated, more severe symptoms such as neurological issues (Bell’s palsy, meningitis) will begin to appear.

The Black-Legged Tick

Ixodes scapularis, known as the black-legged or deer tick, is found throughout the eastern US and in parts of the Midwest and Canada. It is a vector of a variety of human and animal diseases, most notably Lyme. It earned the name “deer tick” from its parasitizing of the white-tailed deer. However, in its larval and nymph phases it tends to feed on smaller animals, which, unlike the white-tailed deer, can carry Lyme. This is the stage at which a tick becomes a carrier for Lyme disease and it is also the stage at which a tick is most likely to infect a human with Lyme, partially due to their smaller size, which makes them more difficult to find before the infection begins.

Prevention

  • Avoid brushy areas or areas with deep leaf litter, where ticks are more likely to be.

  • Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin.

  • Use insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone.

  • Keep pets inside or consult your veterinarian about a flea & tick preventative. Thoroughly check your pet every time they come inside.

  • Fully check your body after coming inside and check all gear and clothing.

  • Shower within two hours of coming indoors.

Courtesy of the CDC.

Tickscaping

The Connecticut Agricultural Experimentation Station’s Tick Management Handbook provides excellent guidance on managing ticks in your backyard through landscaping (pg. 44). Some suggestions include:

  • Keep a 3 ft buffer of hardscaping (mulch, gravel, etc.) around the edge of your yard followed by a 3 ft buffer of mowed grass.

  • Plant deer-resistant plants or use deer-resistant fencing around any plantings.

  • Avoid plants that favor ticks, such as barberry.

  • Trim tree branches around the edges of the yard to allow in more sunlight.

  • Move woodpiles and bird feeders away from the house.

  • Widen any woodland trails to be at least 3 ft wide.