Away from large stretches of forest, these small rodents thrive without the same threat from natural predators like raptor birds, foxes, and coyotes. Mice have also brought Lyme Disease into less expected places, such as densely populated suburbs. In brief, soaring mice populations mean more food for ticks and more opportunities for these ticks, you, and your loved ones to become infected with Lyme. I was shocked to learn from a recent NPR story that one mouse can host 50 to 100 ticks at a time and infect up to 95% of them with Lyme. The white-footed mouse is significant in that it has been found to be a leading culprit in the spread of Lyme Disease. These cupule-capped nuts provide ample fuel for rodents, including the white-footed mouse, whose populations subsequently surge. I definitely remember the 200 year-old oaks near our home exploding with acorns in the fall of 2014. Scientists report this is largely due to the fact that 2014 into 2015 was a “mast” year, or a phase in which trees in the Fagaceae family such as oak and beech produce an abundant amount of acorns. You’ve probably heard (or might have noticed) that 2017 is an especially prolific year for deer ticks. This hard-bodied arthropod, commonly referred to as the blacklegged or deer tick, is responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease, as well as the malaria-like parasitic disease babesiosis and two rarer, potentially fatal conditions: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (which has only been reported in Wisconsin and Minnesota) and Powassan Virus (one case has been reported in Connecticut). ![]() ![]() At the same time, living amongst nature also means existing side by side with ticks, including Ixodes scapularis. I’m grateful for the ability to enjoy well-preserved trails, forage for edible gifts such as ramps and thimbleberries, and to simply breathe in the diverse flora and fauna. Like our entire team at Arogya, I feel blessed to live nearby the lush forests of Connecticut.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |