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This winter is starting out pretty harsh so far. Is there any way to predict how abundant ticks will be come summer?
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Generally, the severity of the nymphal deer tick season depends less on winter weather conditions and more on weather conditions next summer as well as conditions the previous summer, when larvae were active. In late summer 2007, disease-carrying rodents were exceptionally abundant as were larval deer ticks, meaning that many larvae likely took their blood meal from animals carrying infection. This should result in a higher than normal proportion of infected ticks come May 2008. If high humidity conditions prevail through next summer, we predict that summer 2008 could be quite ticky, with disease incidence much higher than normal. Begin making plans now to take every appropriate action to reduce tick encounter risk, and visit www.tickencounter.org often during the spring to learn the best steps available to stay safe. |
