Author: T Warner

The Impact of Lyme Disease Bacteria in Massachusetts

When It  Comes To Ticks And Tick Bites, It’s What You Don’t Know That Can Hurt You — Badly

Lyme disease bacteria in Massachusetts estimated to impact 87,000 per year. In the United States, Lyme disease most commonly occurs in the Northeast, the mid-Atlantic regions and in the upper Midwest. In Massachusetts, Lyme disease occurs throughout the state. Experts estimate that 87,000 people per year in Massachusetts are infected with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi which causes Lyme disease.

“Due to increasing urban and suburban sprawl, forests are being parceled into smaller pockets of vegetation”, said Northeastern University Distinguished Professor of Biology Kim Lewis, who directs Northeastern’s Antimicrobial Discovery Center.

Read: Does Lyme disease have a season?

Parks and backyards in the suburbs are now the perfect size to sustain mice, but not quite large enough to sustain foxes. That means mice can run rampant with no natural predators to keep their population at bay. And with mice, come ticks.

Lyme disease bacteria is rampant in Massachusetts
Lyme disease bacteria is rampant in Massachusetts.

How To Put Mice To Work To Fight The Spread Of Lyme Disease

tick control tubesPutting those mice to work is no Cinderella story when it comes to fighting the horrors of Lyme disease. Using tick tubes, installed by your local tick control professional around your home – especially in higher grassy areas – is part of the tick control solution. Filled with a desiccant that kills ticks, the tick tubes welcome visits by mice to snatch up the treated cotton fibers inside to build their nests. And when the ticks hop on the mice for easy transport – voila – they’re toast. Dead and gone.

Tick Tubes Are Just One Part Of the North Reading Reading Tick Control Solution

To seriously fight the spread of Lyme disease, a North Reading tick control spray should be applied to your property by a tick control professional after the tick tubes are placed in areas deemed the most worthy by expert applicators.

When Are Ticks At Their Worst Here In Massachusetts?

Tick activity and tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Powassan virus, occur year-round in Massachusetts. Although tick activity is weather-dependent, there are two peak times during the year; the first begins in March/April and lasts through August, and the second occurs in October-November. The majority of cases of tick-borne disease occur in June through August, so timing is crucial that you start tick control right now.

In addition to having a professional treat your property with a tick control barrier spray and tick tubes, here is how to stay safer when not at home:

To prevent tick bites:

  1. Use insect repellents that contain an EPA-registered active ingredient like permethrin or DEET
  2. Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily
  3. Do daily tick checks
  4. Promptly and properly removing any attached ticks

If you want dependable, proven tick control, contact your local tick control specialist. Be sure that your tick control service sprays your yard and surrounds your property with tick tubes. This tick double-trouble control and elimination method will ensure it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

Also read: How can I protect my dog from Lyme disease?

No Hot Dog or Hamburger Ever Again

The Tick Awareness Kiss Of Death For The Likes Of Bobby Flay And Guy Fieri – What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

As we bask in the beautiful days and stellar evenings of spring heading into summer in just a few days, one thing is continually on my mind … firing up my Weber grill. At the end of the work day, there is nothing quite like the crunch of a well-grilled hot dog on a gluten-free bun smothered in mustard, hot sauce, and dill pickle relish. Not your fave? No worries. There’s plenty of room on the grill for plump hamburgers, hiding a pillow of butter and herbs. Ah … heaven.

alpha-gal, AGS, meat allergy
Imagine never eating another hotdog or hamburger.

But imagine, just imagine, if you could never, ever enjoy these meat delicacies again. Unthinkable for those of us who are devotees of sausages, ribs, steaks, and more.

Guess what? It happened to my son-in-law.

High Grasses Can Be The Trigger For Tick Infestations That Lead To AGS – Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Two years ago, my son-in-law, let’s call him Dennis, felt awful. Shortly after enjoying a New York strip steak – perfectly grilled, I may add – he broke out in a severe rash that covered most of his body and he had extreme difficulty breathing.

“What could have possibly been the trigger?” he asked aloud. “Was the meat spoiled?”

After a trip to the emergency room, a full exam, and multiple blood tests later, he was diagnosed with AGS – or Alpha-Gal Syndrome, something he, and the rest of our family, had never heard of.

What Is The Alpha-Gal Syndrome Caused By A Tick Bite?

Signs and symptoms of an alpha-gal allergic reaction are often delayed compared with other food allergies. Most reactions to common food allergens — peanuts or shellfish, for example — happen within minutes of exposure.

With alpha-gal syndrome, reactions usually appear about three to six hours after exposure. Red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb; organ meats; and products made from mammals, such as gelatins or dairy products, can cause a reaction.

Signs and symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome may include:

  1. Hives, itching, or itchy, scaly skin (eczema)
  2. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other body parts
  3. Wheezing or shortness of breath
  4. A runny nose
  5. Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
  6. Sneezing
  7. Headaches
  8. A severe, potentially deadly allergic reaction that restricts breathing

Doctors now think that the time delay between eating red meat and developing an allergic reaction is one reason why the AGS condition was overlooked until recently. A possible connection between a New York strip steak with dinner and hives at midnight was far from obvious.

How Can I Be Sure If A Tick Bite Caused Me To Contract Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

See your primary care doctor or a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies (allergist) if you experience food allergy symptoms after eating — even several hours after eating.

Don’t rule out red meat as a possible cause of your reaction, especially if you live or spend time outdoors in high grassy areas of the United States or in other parts of the world where alpha-gal syndrome is known to occur.

Seek emergency medical treatment if you develop signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Drooling and inability to swallow
  •  Full-body redness and warmth (flushing)

The Effects Of Alpha-Gal Syndrome Can Sneak Up On You – Even Well-Educated Folks

So here’s a sad but true story. My wife makes an incredible pot of Sunday Sauce – or Gravy – laden with fresh heirloom tomatoes, spices, spareribs, Italian sausage, meatballs, and lamb. It simmers for hours and the aroma while it’s on the stove is simply intoxicating.

alpha gal means no sausage
Alpha-gal means no Italian sausage.

But Dennis can no longer enjoy it – and we would never think of enjoying it when he could not possibly enjoy it, too, at the same dinner table.

So my wife thought, “CHICKEN and TURKEY!” Not from four-legged mammals, surely they would be safe in the sauce, so she reinvented it with safe substitutes.

Long story short, Dennis and his family came for Sunday dinner and we proudly announce our meatless solution – chicken sausage and turkey meatballs in lieu of the Sunday Sauce core meat ingredients.

When we saw the look on his face of sadness and disappointment, we asked what was wrong.

“Is the chicken sausage in a natural casing from the supermarket market?” he asked. “Why yes,” we answered.

And that was it. The chicken sausage casing was from pig casings – and he can’t have anything from a pig – or any other four-legged animal.

Trying to be lighthearted about his misfortune, we tossed the contents of the pot into the trash and feasted on charcuterie cheeses, vegetables, and relishes with no sign of cold cuts in sight.

The Only Way To Exterminate The Tick Carriers Of AGS Is With Professional Canton Tick Control

To escape the dangers of contracting AGS of other tick spread diseases like Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and other devastating illnesses, get Canton tick control before it’s too late.

Also read: How bad are ticks in Massachusetts?

Ticks vs. Mosquitoes: Which is worse?

Like Mosquitoes, Ticks Are At The Top Of The List For The Most Dangerous Animals On Earth

When asked to think about deadly animals, it is easy to conjure images of large predators and sharp teeth. We can thank the movies for that. But the deadliest animals that can cause the most long-term harm and havoc are actually much smaller. Vector pests, such as ticks and mosquitoes, are way up on the list due to their ability to vector disease.

ticks vs. mosquitoes
Ticks vs. mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are the most dangerous animal on Earth. Ticks can be considered the most dangerous arthropod.

With the ability to vector diseases such as Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, the backyard tick can be considered the most dangerous arthropod in the United States.

Which Ticks Are The Most Dangerous From An Illness Perspective?

black-legged tick
Black-legged ticks are vectors of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne illness

The most common ticks of medical significance include the black-legged tick (or deer tick), brown dog tick, American dog tick, and the lone star tick.

Exactly What Are Ticks?

Contrary to what you may have thought, ticks are arthropods. They are not insects. Ticks are in the arachnid family, making them more closely related to spiders and mites. Insects are commonly defined by having one pair of antennae, three body segments, and six legs.

Ticks do not have antennae and have two body segments instead of three. One of the easiest ways to distinguish ticks from insects is to count the legs. Adult and nymph ticks have eight legs, while insects have six legs. Tick larvae throw that rule out the window by only having six legs but can still be distinguished from insects by examining the body segments.

Also read: Are drought conditions conducive to tick and mosquito control?

Where Do Ticks Live?

Throughout your backyard and often found in parks and camping grounds, ticks are commonly found in tall grasses, woody/brushy areas, and leaf litter.

What else can be found in these areas? Rodents and other animals can be found there, too. All ticks feed on blood from vertebrate hosts. Mice are a good example of an extremely common host (especially for tick larvae).

Ticks cannot fly or jump, so they will not wander too far away from areas where their hosts may be found. They need carriers – think Uber for the animal world.

They wait for their host to pick them up and grasp on, a process called questing. If you find a tick well outside their typical nesting places, there is a good chance that it hitched a ride from its host.

How Can I Prevent Tick Bites?

Randolph tick control
Choose professional Randolph tick control for optimum protection at home.

Tick prevention is the smartest route for ongoing tick management. Take control of tick infestations by understanding where ticks are commonly found, then modify those areas to make them less appealing to ticks and their hosts.

Be familiar with tick species and their preferred hosts in your area to better target your approach. Like other pests, ticks have crawled the earth for many years and have become relatively well-known in communities across the country.

While their populations are widespread, public knowledge and awareness of the threats they pose to our health and well-being are unfortunately not as commonplace. Rather than just a nuisance or warm weather inconvenience, ticks are dangerous pests capable of transmitting debilitating diseases at increasingly alarming rates.

tick tubes for tick bite prevention
Embolden your tick control efforts with tick tubes.

For this reason, proven, trustworthy tick control is an excellent idea. With a combination of a tick control barrier spray and the placement of tick tubes, this one/two powerful punch will serve you well.

For dependable, proven tick control, contact your local tick control specialist. And again, be sure that your Randolph tick control service sprays your yard and surrounds your property with tick tubes.

Also read: Do I need Randolph tick and mosquito control spray?

Campgrounds Are The Perfect Storm For Tick Infestations

Ticks love camping – who knew?

Campgrounds are a perfect storm for tick infestations.  They didn’t get that outdoor adventurer gene from me, but my kids love to go camping. Especially my daughter, her husband, and their young daughter. So recently we took one for the team and joined them. My wife joined them in the tent. I slept in the car – and not well.

Ticks love camping! Campgrounds are perfect storms for tick infestations.
Ticks love camping – or they love that you love camping!

After an enjoyable outdoor fireside breakfast of sunny side up eggs, warmed over brioche buns, and instant coffee we ventured back to our respective homes. My entire family knows what it takes to be tick aware, so as soon as we got back home, my wife and I headed to the shower.

As she was washing her legs she noticed a teeny black spec on top on her right foot. After further inspection, it confirmed her worst fear. A tick was burrowing into her skin. Luckily, I was in the bathroom with her and immediately went to the drawer that had needle-nose tweezers in it. Trying to be as gentle as I could – and yet still capture that tiny beast – I successfully removed it and gave it a proper burial at sea. After being squished in nearby tissue paper, I flushed it down the toilet.

How To Remove A Tick

remove tick with tweezer
Remove the tick with tweezers.

For a more clinical, pragmatic method, here is what The Centers for Disease Control Recommends on how to remove a tick:

If you find a tick attached to your skin, simply remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well.

To Remove A Tick

  1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
  2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you cannot remove the mouth easily with tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
  3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
  4. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of a live tick by:
  • Putting it in alcohol
  • Placing it in a sealed bag/container
  • Wrapping it tightly in tape or
  • Flushing it down the toilet

Get Rid Of Ticks At Home with Ipswich Tick Control

tick control tubesWhen camping, ticks dry up easily so they prefer shady, wet areas. While you might also prefer some shade over your tent, you’ll be able to avoid ticks better if you set up camp in a sunny area. They also like to hide in tall grass or piles of leaves, so pitching your tent in a cleared area will prevent ticks.

The same variables apply to your backyard, especially it the perimeter has tall grasses and wood piles where moisture lurks well after rainstorms and irrigation watering.

If you want dependable, proven tick control, contact your local tick control specialist. Be sure that your tick control service sprays your yard and surrounds your property with tick tubes. This tick double-trouble control and elimination method will ensure it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

Also read: Where do ticks live in Massachusetts?

Tick Control or Turning Vegan – The Choice is Yours!

If a tick bites you, you may never enjoy meat again.

Are you the kind of person that lives for celebrating summer outdoors?  Do you look forward to heading to see the Boston Red Sox take on their hardball adversaries at Fenway Park while chomping down on a delicious, sizzling hot dog, smothered in sauerkraut, onions and mustard?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome means no hotdogs!
Alpha-Gal means no hotdogs – ever again.

If yes, you better pray you don’t get a tick bite.

Or if summer means outdoor grilling a well-marbled New York Strip or gourmet burger cooked to medium rare perfection on your Weber grill, make sure a tick never lands on you – or it may be the last piece of red meat you’ll ever enjoy.

Tick control or going vegan - the choice is yours!
Tick control or going vegan – the choice is yours!

Not more than a week ago, The New York Times published a story which has opened the eyes of many meat-eating outdoor enthusiasts. Titled “The Tick That Causes a Meat Allergy Is on the Move,” it tells the horrific true story of how a Lone Star Tick bit a nurse (of all people) and what ensued afterwards.

She woke up one morning in bed only to find that her legs had tuned “beetroot red.” What was the trigger for this past unknown malady? A cheeseburger. Swear to God.

After being bitten by the tick, she was diagnosed with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, an allergic reaction to mammal meats like pork, beef and lamb, which growing evidence shows can be triggered by a tick bite.

Researchers have traced the syndrome to the Lone Star Tick, named for the signature white splotch, or “lone star,” on the female’s back. They’re historically found in the southern United States, but increasingly, these arachnids are being spotted in parts of the Midwest and the Northeast, even Central Massachusetts.

This species is still present in Massachusetts and is responsible for the spread of tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and southern tick-associated rash illness. Exposure to the Lone Star tick often results in allergies to red meat as well, as documented by The Times.

The tick’s territory is expanding, thanks in part to global warming. With more hot days each year, the ticks, which thrive in warm and humid conditions, have more time to feed on their hosts and reproduce. At the same time, alpha-gal diagnoses appear to be rising.

Enjoy meat forever – get Shrewsbury tick control now.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Concern is one thing, but proactive tick awareness and tick control is best. Be sure that your Shrewsbury tick control professional sprays your yard and surrounds your property with tick tubes. This double whammy will ensure it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.

Also read: What repels ticks naturally?

Fighting Ticks with Fire – Will it work?

I have written in the past about ticks and fire, but this is altogether a different story.

We know that you cannot burn a tick to remove it from your skin.  One farmer in Maine, is ready to employ fire to fight ticks on her farmland.  Elizabeth Jimenez moved to Maine from Florida, and was astonished at the number of ticks she would encounter once springtime rolled around.  Springtime in the Northeast is the time when ticks emerge from their overwintering.  And emerge, they did!

Can you burn ticks out?
Can you fight ticks with fire?

Elizabeth reports a veritable tick apocalypse on her property, saying that if you even consider sitting down in the field, you will be aggressively pursued by ticks.  She and her fellow farmers began saving the ticks that they took off their clothing after visiting the field – and she notes the, “jar is filling fast.”

Fighting Ticks with Fire

Thing is, Elizabeth moved to her three-acre Maine property in order to start an organic farm.  To be classified “organic” you must raise your crop without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pest control products.  For this reason, she has decided to extensively burn her field to kill ticks that reside there.  Prescribed burns are nothing new to farmers.  Many farmers burn their fields to rid them of plants that are already growing there, and to prepare the soil for new plantings.  This is the first time I have heard of a controlled burn specifically to eradicate ticks.

Can you burn ticks out?

dog ticksLocal tick experts report that 2021 was even worse than 2022 for exploding tick populations.  There were more dog ticks in Maine in 2021 than had ever been reported.  There is no doubt that fire will work to this farmer’s benefit.  It will most assuredly kill ticks.  One expert says that Elizabeth’s effort to eradicate ticks in her field will be successful specifically for dog ticks.  This is because dog ticks can predominantly be found in flat fields.  However, for our friend the deer tick, that lives typically in woodland areas, the fire might not be as successful.

After she burns, she plans to create a visual barrier of wood chips around her field in hopes of keeping ticks away.  Though, experts implore that this barrier is more for humans than ticks.  It lets us know when we are leaving or entering the area where ticks are or are not.

The aftermath of burning ticks out.

Burning underbrush in wooded areas to fight ticks is nothing new.  It is effective in the short-term, but what happens after the burn?  As vegetation begins to regenerate, it creates a very tick-friendly environment.  As wildlife reenters the area to feed, they will bring ticks back with them.

deer will bring ticks back after burning underbrush
Deer will bring ticks back after burning underbrush

This farmer also has an out-of-season tick control approach.  She intends to plow to keep her fields free from snow in the winter.  As we know, a blanket of snow will act as insulation to protect ticks from freezing to death in the winter.  She believes that she can get ahead of the springtime tick rush next year by allowing cold Northeast winter weather to kill ticks that might be trying to overwinter in her field.  Another great method of fighting ticks in the winter is through the use of tick tubes.  Tick tubes, which contain an EPA-registered insecticide applied to cotton, are placed in potentially tick-friendly and rodent-friendly environments.  Mice scrounge for the treated cotton and carry it back to their nests.  Ticks that encounter these mice or their nests will be killed by the insecticide.

Natural Pawtucket tick control.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

While many farmers and land owners protect their fields with EPA-registered tick control solutions, there are tick repellents available that are comprised of natural products.  Professional Pawtucket tick control companies offer natural tick protection through products that are created with essential oils, made by Mother Nature herself.

 

 

 

Tick Prediction: 2022 Forecast to be the worst year for ticks?

As springtime emerges each year, there is potential for that year to become the worst ever for ticks.

And just like 2020 and 2021, 2022 is subject to become the worst year for ticks on record.  That’s a pretty big statement, because as we know, tick-borne illnesses are already running rampant.  Especially in the Northeastern United States – so here in Central Mass, we run a higher risk for enduring the worst year for ticks ever.  That isn’t because there are less ticks in other areas of the country, but there are less tick diseases in other areas.  Florida for instance, is a pretty ideal climate for warm weather loving ticks.  However, Lyme disease cases in Florida are far less than places like Massachusetts and Minnesota.  That’s because the available tick feeders out in some parts of Florida nature are mostly lizards, which are not great vectors for Lyme infection.  So, a bad tick year for Florida residents looks a lot different than one experienced by Central Mass residents.

Will 2022 be the worst year for ticks?
Will 2022 be the worst year for ticks?

What sets us up for the worst year for ticks?

There are a few things that can create a tick population boom.  One that I often write about is shorter, warmer winters, and climate change.  But there is one element that you might not be aware of.  Here in the Northeast, woodland creatures that feed ticks their first blood meal are mainly white-footed mice.  What do white-footed mice eat?  One woodland delicacy is the acorn.  In 2020 oak trees produced record number of acorns – a.k.a. mouse food.  With thriving white-footed mice population, so too could be the Lyme-infected tick population!

Now is the time for Acton tick control.

tick tubes for Lyme diseas preventionThere is very little time left for planning your Acton tick control.  Don’t get caught in the middle of the worst year for ticks on record.  You can stop them in their tracks.  Nip them in the bud by scheduling your professional Acton MA tick control at your earliest convenience.  Reputable tick control experts are ready to help you get a handle on the potential tick situation in your yard.  If this does become the worst tick year on record, the earlier you begin, the better off you’ll be.

What’s more, your tick control efforts don’t have to end with autumn.  Tick tubes extend tick control to a year-round affair.  Because the only way to thwart a tick apocalypse is to prevent it.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Also read: Deer Tick Virus Invading the Northeast

Deer Tick Virus is Invading the Northeast

Could we have a Powassan virus invasion in Central Mass again in 2022?

Deer tick virus is rare, but in terms of where it is more likely to rear its ugly head…Central Mass could be a target once more in 2022.  Officials in Pennsylvania are warning residents to protect themselves this year, as the virus has been found in 16 counties across the state.  There have only been about 100 confirmed cases of Powassan virus in the U.S. in the last decade.  That doesn’t sound too bad, huh?

deer tick virus
Tick bite prevention is key to avoiding Powassan virus, a.k.a. Deer Tick Virus

16 of those 100 Powassan virus cases were in Massachusetts.

Even though deer tick virus is generally rare, if you live in the Northeastern or Upper Midwestern United States, you are more likely to encounter the illness.  And since there is no vaccine and no cure, protection is 100% about tick bite prevention.  What we know now, is that the disease is in our region, just a couple hundred miles away.  Deer tick virus could be here already, lying in wait with the nasty ticks that transmit it.

How dangerous is Powassan?  It’s potentially fatal.  What’s more, unlike Lyme infection, which takes 24 to 48 hours of attachment, deer tick virus can be transmitted from a tick to a human in only 15 minutes!  And Central Mass residents could be a bit complacent about deer tick sightings.  After all, they seem to be everywhere.  But if you are thinking, “Oh, it’s just another tick,” think again.  It could be a deadly tick that has attached itself to you or your family member.

Visit the CDC’s website for information about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Powassan virus here.

Decrease your risk of infection with Wellesley tick control.

When I say that professional tick control is more important than ever with each new spring, I mean it.  That is because whether Powassan has been diagnosed in our area or not, tick populations are expanding.  Warmer winters, earlier springs, and deforestation all contribute to the increase in ticks throughout Central Mass.  The more ticks we have, the better the chance that one of our family members encounters a tick-borne illness.  Enlist the assistance of a trusted Wellesley tick control company, who can help keep your family protected from the threat of tick bites all year long.  Tick yard spray is super important this time of year with the emergence of ticks from their overwintering domain.  If you wonder when you should begin your Wellesley tick protection spray regimen, a great rule of thumb is April through the end of October.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

 

 

Will a flash freeze affect ticks?

Can a flash freeze work in our favor against ticks?

At the time of this writing, Massachusetts is under a winter storm warning.  This means different things for different parts of our state.  Some temperatures are below freezing, others are hovering right above.  Can a winter storm, a flash freeze specifically, kill ticks?

Will a flash freeze kill ticks?
Will ticks survive winter storms and flash freeze scenarios?

What is a flash freeze exactly?

A flash freeze is simply explained.  Areas, where temperatures were (or are) right above 32°F, woke up to rain this morning.  A cold rain, but rain nonetheless.  A flash freeze happens when the above-freezing temperature falls below freezing, causing precipitation that is on the ground and other surfaces to freeze.  The glaze produced by this weather event is extremely slippery and spells bad news for commuters.  But is a flash freeze bad for ticks?

flash freeze
A flash freeze is bad news for drivers.

Winter weather does not kill ticks.

The type of winter weather we have in Massachusetts, though cold and uncomfortable, is not enough to kill ticks.  Over the past decade or more, black-legged tick populations have grown and thrived, much in part due to the warming climate here and everywhere.  And even though ticks thrive in warm climes, they are hearty enough to survive the winter, unless that winter delivers sustained days of extreme cold.  If you are thinking that today’s winter weather will help reduce the number of ticks in Massachusetts, think again.  Ticks will survive a flash freeze.  And as for snow, well, it can help insulate ticks, which are burrowed beneath the soil, bedded down for the season.

Tick control is as essential as ever.

tick controlThere is no need to call off the assault, because you will still need to make a concerted effort to kill ticks around your home this spring, summer, and fall.  As nice as it would be to count on Mother Nature to eliminate ticks for us, she is not in the tick control business in Massachusetts these days.  This is not all bad news, because professional tick control companies are gearing up for their spring season.  What’s more, there are steps you can take to help your property become less appealing to ticks.  Spring is the time for renewal and outdoor maintenance projects.  Be sure to follow the 6 C’s of tick control as you take care of lawn maintenance and install new landscaping.

What are the 6 C’s of tick control?

  1. Clear out
  2. Clean
  3. Choose plants
  4. Check hiding places
  5. Care for family pets
  6. Call the tick control pros

Also read: How bad are ticks in Massachusetts?

Dave Macchia mosquito conrol and tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia
Central Mass enthusiast for effective season-long mosquito and tick protection

 

 

Is there a link between Lyme infection and celiac disease?

I recently happened upon an interesting claim online.

A person wrote in a forum that though they could not prove it, they believed there is a link between Lyme infection and celiac disease.  And to their credit, anecdotally, this was true for them.  Recently diagnosed with celiac disease, this person got to talking to someone they know, who also has it.  During this conversation, they found another commonality.  Both celiac disease sufferers had been diagnosed earlier in life with Lyme disease.  This certainly begs the question:  Is there a link between Lyme infection and celiac disease?

Is there a link between Lyme infection and celiac disease?
Lyme infection and celiac disease – does Lyme result in celiac for some people?

Lyme infection and celiac disease do have some parallels.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States.  There are many maddening facts about a Lyme diagnosis.  One of those is that the disease can mimic other conditions.  At the onset, it can feel like flu.  Some sufferers do not seek medical attention at that stage.  When they do, symptoms can be mistaken for other ailments.  When undiagnosed and early stages, Lyme disease becomes chronic, resulting in a myriad of symptoms.  It stands to reason that the question concerning the link between Lyme infection and celiac disease would eventually come up.

According to The University of Chicago Medicine, there are about three million celiac disease sufferers in the United States, with an estimated 97% undiagnosed.  What’s more, there are links between celiac disease and other conditions.  For instance, 6% of people with type 1 diabetes also have celiac disease.  Celiac is an autoimmune disease, which has known links to other autoimmune disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis, Addison’s Disease, and Sjögren’s syndrome.

Celiac and Lyme are two tales of misunderstood diseases, but is there a link between the two?  What is known is that both conditions have been steadily increasing.  What’s more, both diseases are on the upswing in similar geographical territories.  Just like Lyme disease, celiac disease is most prevalent in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States.  It is also suggested that celiac can be triggered by previous infections.  Could Lyme infection be a trigger for a future celiac diagnosis?

A study was performed to investigate a possible link between Lyme infection and celiac disease.

In Sweden, where both diseases have high occurrences, it was found that those with previous Lyme diagnoses were at a slightly increased risk for celiac disease.  However, it was also determined that those with celiac were at a slightly elevated risk of a Lyme diagnosis.  This only confirmed surveillance bias.  Surveillance bias means that because both diseases are so prevalent in the region, doctors are more likely to test for markers of either disease due to an overlap in symptoms.  Finally, according to the study, “a very small proportion—less than 0.2 percent—had previously had Lyme disease, offering further evidence that Lyme disease does not represent a substantive risk factor in the development of celiac disease.”

Lyme disease prevention is available.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

Perhaps the most maddening about Lyme infection, is that it can be prevented with proper tick protocols.  This means using personal tick repellent and protective clothing when hiking and camping.  It also means considering professional tick control measures around your home.  Reputable tick control companies offer year-round programs that can drastically reduce your Lyme infection risk.

Also read: How bad are ticks in Massachusetts?