A 320% Increase in Areas at High Risk for Lyme Disease in the Northeastern United States

Lyme Disease used to be a little known localized problem that started in Lyme, Connecticut. In 1975 a cluster of children and adults experienced arthritic symptoms that lead to the discovery of the tick-borne disease. While Lyme Disease has over the years become well known in parts of the Northeast and Midwest where it was most common such as Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Minnesota – it is now in the news all up and down the eastern seaboard, even being declared an epidemic in some places.

Confirming suspicions that Lyme Disease is spreading geographically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published an article pointing out a 320% increase in the number of counties with high incidence of Lyme Disease. From 1997 to 2013 Lyme Disease has spread from county to county and from state to state making the risk for Lyme Disease very high along most of the east coast and all of the northeast.

From 2001 to 2013 you can see the spread of Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease Prevention

Preventing Lyme Disease at your Montgomery County home means lowering your exposure to ticks and tick bites. While you could cover yourself from head to toe when you venture out, or simply don’t venture out at all – neither one of those ideas are practical when attempting to enjoy the variety of summer weather we have in the greater Washington D.C. area. With hot humid days, head to toe clothing would make your outing unbearable and no one wants to miss out on the summer season.

Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery can eliminate up to 90% of the ticks on your property, including deer ticks that are spreading Lyme Disease. With our traditional barrier spray ticks are eliminated on contact with continued protection for up to 3 weeks.

Tick Tubes Eliminate the Next Generation of Ticks

With the addition of tick tubes to your Montgomery County tick control plan, we can eliminate the next generation of ticks. Our tick tubes are placed around your property where rodents are known to travel. Within the tubes is treated nesting material for the rodents to take back to their dens. In the rodent dens tick larvae and nymphs will be eliminated before they have a chance to become infected and travel out to spread Lyme Disease to new hosts. Late summer tick tube applications prevent spring tick hatches. Call today 301-444-5566 to find out more or get on the schedule. If you wait until spring it will be too late, we want to eliminate the next generation of ticks over the winter.

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery

Preventing your exposure to ticks is your best weapon in preventing Lyme Disease. At Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery we can eliminate 85-90% of ticks in your yard with our traditional barrier spray and tick tube treatment. Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the risks of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease in your backyard! Sign up today • (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

We will manage your mosquito and tick control plan in North Potomac, North Bethesda, Rockville, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Kensington, Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Kentlands and most of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County MD Tick Control and Lyme Disease: My Personal Story

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

Lyme Disease Affects Us All

If it had not been for the “bulls eye” rash, I wouldn’t have even known that I had been bitten by a tick. The infected tick had fallen off days or possibly weeks before, but there it was. Seeing that expanding rash, I then knew that the achy, blah feeling was not just some summer bug I had caught: actually a bug, in the form of a deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) had caught me! I had contracted Lyme Disease. This was in the summer of 2012, and am happy to report that I have since made a full and complete recovery. For me, since I help treat yards to prevent ticks and mosquitoes from injuring families, it was easy to pinpoint where I picked up the infected tick– a property inspection.

My rash from Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease’s Mystery

Lyme Disease is a mystery in many ways. Because I had the tell-tale rash, it was also easy to diagnose and positively treat. Not everyone is as fortunate. It is important to understand though, that the rash is not present over 20% of the time. Combine this with the fact that Lyme Disease can many times mimic other illnesses with its symptom list of fever/chills, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, a vastly larger segment of society may actually be suffering from Lyme Disease, without even realizing it.

Our Best Defense

Prevention becomes the number one way to protect yourself from contracting Lyme Disease. It is widely acknowledged are our best defense. There are some easy, important, and simple steps that you can take to decrease your risks. We here at Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery County truly care about our community. Like you, we also, want to be able to use and enjoy our yards without fear. Here are some helpful tick prevention tips we recommend:

1. Keep compost and debris piles clear from play and dining spaces. Adult ticks natural habitat consists of damp, cluttered spaces. Ticks thrive in moisture and do not do well in dry heat.
2. By having a well-trimmed yard versus a wilderness wonderland, you eliminate the “questing” point for ticks. Ticks will perch with their back legs on long grass or branches and hold up their front legs, ready to grab on and scurry up the leg or arm of any creature, be it dog, cat, deer, or human. Their favorite latching places are armpits and the groin. No long grass means no place to quest from.
3. Ticks have known hideouts. Some of their favorite places are fences, brick walls, retaining walls, including walls that are also used as seating areas on your deck or patio. Check these spots regularly for ticks and “clutches.” A clutch is a mass of up to 2,000 tick eggs.
4. Pets can not give you Lyme Disease, but they can bring ticks into contact with your family. It is important to use preventative care with your pets as well, especially dogs, since they can contract Lyme Disease.
5. Call the pros for a barrier treatment spray. An effective spray will eliminate live adult ticks on contact.

The Mosquito Squad Solution

Thankfully, we offer effective Montgomery County MD tick control. It’s a personal commitment, for me and my wonderful team of trained professionals to protect your landscape from these predatory invaders. Ticks can live somewhere else other than our yards. Myself and many of our friends and neighbors, including college-aged kids and vibrantly healthy individuals, have also suffered from the debilitating effects of Lyme Disease. To eradicate up to 85% – 90% of the adult ticks on your property, we use an EPA-approved barrier spray that we apply every three weeks to offer continuous protection all season long. Combined with our tick tube program, which takes care of larval and nymph ticks in rodent dens, this offers a very strong defense against ticks which carry harmful illnesses. Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery leaves you with peace of mind to enjoy your yard throughout the spring and summer and well into fall.

To learn more, we look forward to your call for a free quote at 301-444-5566 or email us at westmontco@mosquitosquad.com.

Now is the time to think about tick tube implementation!

Deer ticks in your backyard waiting for you to walk by.

Along with our effective and proven barrier spray for ticks, you may have heard us talk here about tick tubes.  Tick tubes are an excellent way to eliminate future generations of ticks on your property.  Along with our barrier spray, tick tubes are an effective second punch at eliminating ticks in your yard.  So, what are they and how do they work?  When is the best time during the year to use them?

Tick tubes target nymph ticks.  Ticks have 4 stages of development in their average two-year life cycle.  Ticks begin as eggs laid by female adults in late fall.  In MD, ticks are most often found in the dens of white-footed mice.  These mice provide the best conditions for them to develop.  First, the mice build protected nests; second, they are warm-blooded mammals and can provide a blood meal for both larvae ticks and nymph ticks.  Tick eggs laid in the mice’s nest in the fall will become larval ticks in early spring and need their first blood meal.  When white-footed mice aren’t available, chipmunks, shrews, voles and other rodent nests will suffice.

Egg mass produced by tick.

After hatching from eggs in early spring, the larvae take their blood meal from the closest host they can find, the white-footed mouse whose home they live in.  As they grow into nymph ticks, small rodents serve nicely as the tick’s second blood meal.  Nymph ticks still aren’t very big so don’t need an animal with a big blood supply as they will need later when they become adults.  Because mice and ticks spend so much time together when ticks are in 2 of the 4 stages of their life cycle, the mice get bitten many times as hosts to both larvae and nymphs.  The transmission of the Lyme infection from one infected nymph tick who previously took a blood meal from an infected mouse allows the infection to be transmitted to many ticks that later bite the same and other previously infected mice.  The infection rate of mice with Lyme Disease is often as high as 80-90%.

Ticks are not born with Lyme Disease and larvae ticks are never infected when they first enter that stage of their life cycle.  Only after needing a blood meal at the end of the larvae stage can they become infected by infected mice.  Given the infection of white-footed mice and the fact that larvae ticks are often found in the dens of white-footed mice, that first blood meal is where they ticks are likely to be first infected.

The most prevalent source the tick acquires the bacteria is a rodent, such as a white footed mouse, or field mouse.

As fall arrives, the nymph ticks are seeking a home for winter and a place they can get their next blood meal as they move into adulthood.  Once again, they will seek out a white-footed mouse’s nest.  In the second spring of its life, the nymph tick will take its second blood meal from the white-footed mouse whose nest it may be in.  It is in this second spring that we and our pets are most likely to get Lyme Disease from a tick.  Since nymph ticks are so tiny, we often don’t notice them on our skin, or on our dog’s skin.  Why do ticks need to bite us for blood when they have the mice?  It’s not often that ticks stay attached long enough to get a full meal from any one source.  As they grow larger, they are above ground and not in nests and begin “questing” for any available animal.  For this reason, a tick may bite several hosts (mice, other rodents, humans, etc.) before getting the amount of blood they need to continue growing into adulthood.

Tick tubes are meant to make sure ticks don’t make it to their 2^nd spring.  In order to build a proper nest for winter, white-footed mice will search for nesting material.  Mosquito Squad tick tubes have cotton balls in them saturated with insecticide that will eliminate ticks.  By making their nesting material with the tick tube cotton, the mice will get the insecticide on their fur as they move around in their nest during the winter.  When spring comes again, enough insecticide is on the mouse’s fur that the ticks will be eliminated on contact, before they can get their 2^nd blood meal.  No harm is done to the mouse by the insecticide, so they continue to serve as tick-destroying hosts during the warmer months of the year.

How tick tubes work

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

By placing tick tubes out at spring, summer and fall your tick protection is supported by a second line of defense, tick tubes.  Each year, as more nymph ticks are eliminated on your property, there should be fewer adults to lay eggs.  Our barrier spray eliminates ticks on contact and works for up to 3 weeks on active ticks living in your yard.  Tick tubes eliminate the ticks you won’t ever see.

If you have questions on how to protect yourself from mosquito and tick-borne diseases, please contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery, (301) 444-5566.

Can those pesky house mice spread Lyme Disease?

Various types of mice.

You may have read stories before on this blog talking about the link between ticks, Lyme Disease and white-footed mice. These stories may have peaked your curiosity about other species of rodents, especially pesky house mice that like to take up residence in our homes. Since we are entering into the peak season for nymph ticks, and very soon,  into the fall when the weather will be growing cooler and house mice will be looking for places to stay warm, now is a great time to become familiar with tick/mouse activity!

White-footed mice do exceptionally well in the habitat of the Northeast US and other similar places because of the urbanization of old farmland.  Open woodlots and brushy areas make ideal living conditions for white-footed mice and ticks.

Although Lyme Disease is not as prevalent in some US states, other tick-borne diseases are.  Tularemia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other infections are often prevalent in places Lyme Disease is not.  Shrews, voles, rabbits, chipmunks and other small rodents will fill a similar role as white-footed mice in these regions when available.

Notice this white-footed mouse is covered with nymph ticks.

When an adult female tick needs to lay her eggs, she looks for a location that will have a temperature warm enough in winter to allow her eggs to survive.  White-footed mice build nests in burrows, stumps, brush piles, buildings and in the abandoned nests of other small animals and birds.  These nests provide concealment for them from predators and warmth in the winter.

When an adult female tick lays her eggs in the nest of a white-footed mouse, she is providing both protection and a good start for the next generation.  When hatched into larvae in the spring and early summer, these ticks will take their first blood meal from the closest available small animal, which is usually the white-footed mouse.  Tick larvae are not infected with Lyme Disease when born.  Their first chance to be infected is when they take their first blood meal from the mice.  As these larvae ticks grow and need a second blood meal to grow into their third life stage as nymph ticks, the mice will often serve as hosts to that meal also.

Studies show that 80-90% of all white-footed mice are infected with the Lyme bacteria.  When you consider the number of larvae and nymph ticks that take their blood meal from white-footed mice, you can easily see why the infection rate is so high.  Ticks will often have to bite more than one host for a blood meal in order to get an adequate supply of blood, so they can grow into their next life cycle stage.  If one larvae or nymph tick is infected with Lyme Disease, the infection will usually be transmitted to any of the mice they bite.  Ticks that bite an infected mouse have a very high likelihood of becoming infected themselves and further transmitting the disease.  As ticks become larger, they need larger mammals and birds for their blood meal.  This is how Lyme Disease is transmitted to raccoons, foxes, opossums, birds, and other small mammals.  Deer serve as hosts for adult ticks because of their size allows them to have enough blood to provide many adult ticks their blood meal to lay eggs.

House Mice nesting in a loaf of bread.

For mice that do not frequent open woodlots and brushy areas, there is little chance of them being exposed to ticks.  No contact with ticks means no Lyme infection.  This is the primary reason that Lyme Disease is rare or non-existent in mice that seek shelter and warmth in your home.  As these or any mice spend time in your yard and in tick habitat, it’s possible they can become infected, if bitten by an infected tick.  House mice have not been studied to determine if they contract Lyme Disease in certain situations; but there is no reason to think they would be immune.  It’s likely they are not a vector for Lyme Disease because they simply don’t spend as much time in tick habitat as other rodents.

As you can see, the circumstances that lead to Lyme Disease are diverse and complex.  With so many vectors, hosts and reservoirs responsible for the disease, researchers are a long way off from knowing how the disease continues to spread. Rather than wait for science to provide a solution, there are effective solutions now such as barrier sprays and tick tube implementation for your yard. Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery now to discuss our tick barrier spray and tick tube program that will protect your yard all season long.

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

Learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the risks of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease in your backyard! Sign up today • (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

Are Humans The Only Ones Who Get Lyme Disease?

Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery wants to keep you informed about Lyme Disease!

You may know that ticks get the Lyme bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi, from the white-footed mouse and then pass it on to us.  However, do the mice themselves get Lyme Disease?  Do they get sick?  What about all the other animals that ticks bite, like chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, birds and the like? The list of animals that ticks bite is a long one.  In order to make sense of the research, we need to break down this list.  It is easier to understand how Lyme Disease exists in wildlife by talking about small, medium and large animals, and birds.  The size of the animal seems to make more of a difference than the specie when discussing how Lyme Disease affects wildlife.

All size deer ticks can transmit disease.

How is Lyme Disease transmitted? Before discussing how Lyme is transmitted, we need to define two terms.  The first is the term, host.  A host is, as you would expect, someone who serves someone something.  In the tick’s case, the host is the animal or bird who serves them their blood meal after the tick bites them.  A tick needs a blood meal in each of the three stages of its life cycle, larvae, nymph and adult in order to grow and move onto the next stage. The second term we need to define is reservoir.  Since ticks aren’t born with Lyme Disease, they need to get the bacteria from somewhere.  The term reservoir refers to where the bacteria are present.  Many animals can be reservoirs for the Lyme bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi.  Some reservoirs have an abundance of bacteria in their blood.  In other animal reservoirs, there may be very few Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria.  An animal with a large number of bacteria in their blood are referred to as a competent reservoir.  This means they have enough bacteria to infect any ticks that bite them.  Other animal reservoirs can be incompetent reservoirs, meaning they have so few bacteria present they will not infect the tick when it bites them.

Small animals White-footed mice, chipmunks, rats, squirrels, moles, voles and certain species of birds are competent reservoirs.  These animals are often infected with Lyme Disease, as well as Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis.  These small animals are the ones most responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease to larvae and nymph ticks.  Since larvae and nymph ticks are often in the dens and burrows of these animals, they are often the young tick’s first blood meal.  The small ticks in this life stage do not need a lot of blood for their first meal.  Adult ticks need a larger animal for their larger blood meal. Although studies show these small animals are often infected with Lyme bacteria, there has been little to no research into how the disease affects them.  Whether they get a rash or sick from the bacteria is unknown.  One study that looked into the mortality of white-footed mice and showed 93% of them succumbed to predators, primarily weasels.  Only one mouse death in the study was attributable to Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria.  From this study, we can hypothesize that most or all of these small animals can succumb to the infection, but it is not common. Is the lifecycle of the white-footed mouse so short or predation so high, that Lyme Disease doesn’t have a chance to take more of them?  We simply don’t know. Many studies have shown that birds are often infected with Lyme Disease and are responsible for its geographical spread.  One NIH study found, “ticks have detrimental effects on their avian hosts even under natural infestation conditions…and may also present symptoms of infection, though these may be subtle.”  Birds do seem to be affected physically by the Lyme bacteria; however, it is not acute or obvious.  Lizards may also become infected with Lyme Disease but are incompetent reservoirs.

Medium size animals Raccoons, groundhogs, rabbits, beavers, opossums, foxes, bobcats and coyotes rarely serve as reservoirs for Lyme Disease.  Scientists also do not find many ticks on them when sampled.  That doesn’t mean they don’t transmit other diseases.  Rabbits transmit tularemia, rarely Lyme Disease.  Beavers, like rabbits, transmit tularemia but are not identified with helping to transmit Lyme Disease.  Groundhogs transmit bronchopneumonia and hepatitis B primarily.  Squirrels transmit tick fever and their fleas can transmit plague.  Coyotes are incompetent reservoirs of Lyme Disease.  Foxes are also incompetent reservoirs of Lyme Disease. Foxes provide a benefit when it comes to Lyme Disease because they are predators of white-footed mice reducing their numbers. Even when the Lyme bacteria are found in these medium size animals, the bacteria present is minimal, making these animals incompetent reservoirs.  No research has been done on how or why the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria present in them is so low.  Whether some of these animals have less exposure to ticks carrying Lyme, or whether their immune system is prepared to prevent a significant infection, is not known.  Some scientists and studies have hypothesized that these animals may have a “primitive immune system” but no scientific definition exists for that term.  No studies exist to confirm or deny it.

Egg mass produced by tick.

Large size animals The only wild large size animal in the tick lifecycle is the deer family. White tail Deer as well as other members of the deer family, including elk, moose and caribou are the blood meal host often chosen by adult ticks.  First, several thousand ticks can attach to deer because of their size.  This number of ticks makes it easy for males to locates the female ticks as ticks use deer to find a mate much like a local “pick-up” joint.  A female tick will use a deer to consume a large blood meal, in order to lay a clutch of 2,000 to 18,000 eggs.  Elk and moose carry dog ticks in the West, which are often infected with Ehrlichiosis and can be transmitted to humans.  With the introduction of elk and moose in the Eastern US, no one knows the effect they may have in Lyme Disease and Ehrlichiosis transmission. All deer are incompetent reservoirs with low levels of Lyme bacteria in their blood, despite the number of ticks that bite them.  Once again, scientists attribute the deer’s immunity to a primitive immune system or an ability to flush the bacteria from their blood. Based on numerous research papers, it is clear that the animals most responsible for transmitting Lyme Disease are small ones, especially white-footed mice, voles and other rodents.  Research studies show that voles become important in the transmission of Lyme bacteria mostly in areas where few white-footed mice exist.  Medium size and larger animals and birds spread the disease further geographically that any of the smaller animals because of their territorial ranges and their effectiveness in giving infected ticks a ride to new locations.

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

Tracing the epidemiology of Lyme Disease is complex, as you can see.  With so many vectors, hosts and reservoirs responsible for the disease, researchers are a long way off from knowing how the disease continues to spread. Rather than wait for science to provide a solution, there are effective solutions now such as barrier sprays for your yard. Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery now to discuss our tick barrier spray and tick tube program that will protect your yard all season long.

Learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the risks of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease in your backyard! Sign up today • (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

 

Would you know if your dog has Lyme Disease?

You may not know “man’s best friend” can also contract Lyme Disease, but they can!

The answer is not so clear.  You may not have realized your pet could get Lyme Disease like humans, until your were asked the question.  Dogs, cats and horses can and do get Lyme Disease from ticks, as well as 3 other serious infections ticks carry.  Your dog’s Lyme Disease symptoms are different from ones you may have; or, they may not appear at all.  If symptoms do appear, they may seem to leave on their own and reappear later.  The lack of symptoms and seemingly temporary nature of Lyme Disease symptoms in your dog can make a correct diagnosis difficult.

Of course, dogs are perfect targets for ticks.  When ticks are “questing” or looking to hitch a ride on an animal to obtain their blood meal, they usually hold onto limbs, grasses and other objects about knee-high in height.  They are looking for coyotes, raccoons, possums and yes, your best friend, your dog.  All of these animals, including your canine family member, enjoy exploring interesting and new places outdoors like brush piles, rock piles, thick grass and the like are also perfect places for ticks to live and look for a meal.

In a story for mspca.org, Erika de Papp, DVM, DACVIM reported that it is common for 50-75% of dogs in New England test positive for Lyme Disease.  Of course, Lyme Disease is endemic in New England, as it is in Maryland.  For dogs that test positive to Lyme Disease, only 5-10% may show clinical symptoms of the disease.  If your dog doesn’t show any clinical symptoms, some veterinarians argue against treatment in healthy dogs.

Lyme Disease is transmitted through the bite of a deer tick.

The most serious consequence of untreated Lyme Disease can be kidney disease in your dog.  If your dog tests positive for Lyme Disease based on blood tests but is not treated, discuss the benefit of kidney function tests with your veterinarian.  Until recently, veterinarians could only test if your pet’s blood had antibodies present indicating a Lyme infection had occurred.  These tests couldn’t determine if the infection was recent or one your dog had for some time.  A new test to diagnose Lyme Disease in dogs has now been developed to determine if the infection in your dog is recent, which means a better prognosis for treatment.  Of course, your veterinarian will have the most current information on tests used to diagnose an infection and confirm the need for treatment.

The clinical symptoms of Lyme Disease in dogs are fever, decreased appetite, tiredness, swollen and painful joints that may be painful to examination and lameness or limping that may seem to shift between legs.  The appearance of these symptoms between the time of the bite and when they occur may be 2 to 5 months apart.  Symptoms may also appear to clear up, only to return later.  It is important to keep up with any symptoms you observe in your dog and to document when they occur.

Keeping your furry friend happy and healthy is up to you!

With the prevalence of Lyme Disease in some of our most precious canine family members, as well as the difficulty in diagnosing a disease often without symptoms, the prevention of tick bites should be your first priority.  The use of a parasite preventative and regular tick checks of your dog whenever they return indoors are important in Lyme Disease prevention.  In order to eliminate your dog’s exposure to ticks, remove any brush piles and leaf litter on your property and keep grass cut low.  Hard ticks such as the black-legged tick, or deer tick, dry up when exposed to the sun or heat for long periods.  They need shade and moisture, so eliminating their hideouts and keeping your lawn trimmed low will help protect your pets as well as your family from ticks.

Finally, choose our effective and proven barrier spray , as well as out tick tube treatments.  Reduce the population of ticks in your yard and you will have greatly reduced the risks of Lyme Disease for you and your dog!  Don’t forget: Barrier sprays, like the ones used by Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery, eliminate both ticks and mosquitoes.  We’ve discussed here the risk of Lyme Disease to your canine family members.  For your dogs, the mosquito bites bring on heartworm.  Our effective barrier spray will eliminate both pests around your home.

Contact Mosquito Squad today to learn more about reducing the risk of tick and mosquito-borne illness this season!

To answer more questions about protecting yourself and your family, ( including the four-legged kind) against mosquito and tick-borne diseases, please contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery and sign up today • (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

Can Lyme Disease Be Transmitted Sexually?

You may have heard some discussion lately on the sexual transmission of Lyme Disease.  If you haven’t heard it, you will.  Combine sex with the word disease and you immediately have two subjects in which nearly 100% of the people on earth will be interested.  If advertisers love any news, it is news about subjects that touch people personally.  Sex and disease both fit that criterion.

So what’s the latest information on this subject?  Much of the news is old news.  At the 14^th International Scientific Conference on Lyme Disease in April 2001, Dr. Gregory Back presented a paper on “Recovery of Lyme Spirochetes by PCR in Semen Samples of Previously Diagnosed Lyme Disease Patients”.  The first thing to understand about this paper is that 40% of the 132 partners studied (66 couples) were both found to be infected with Lyme Disease.  Lyme Disease, Science and Society looked at this research and after examining the evidence of this early study stated:

There are unanswered questions about this study based on the abstract: We don’t know what kind of microscopic confirmation was conducted and why it was mostly conducted on semen.  We don’t know if patients had other possible routes of exposure to spirochetes.  We don’t know if the DNA sequences recovered matched between sexual partners.  We don’t know whether any of the patients who were sampled had recently taken antibiotics and if the spirochetal DNA that was detected was the result of their bodies trying to purge a massive die-off of spirochetes.  What kind of treatment patients in the study had received so far is an unknown.

As you can see, the individuals in the study were not tested prior to finding a Lyme infection, in order to establish when the infection occurred.  There was also no evidence of actual transmission or research into the exact origin of the partner’s infection, only evidence that both partners had Lyme Disease.  Since partners live in the same environment, it’s very possible that one partner didn’t remember being bitten by a tick.  Nymph ticks are the size of a poppy-seed and difficult to detect.  Due to their small size, they are often not found by their human host unless seen fully engorged with blood.  Simply stated, it’s a leap to identify two related patients and make a leap that one gave the other any disease.  For example, if a husband has the flu, his wife may think he gave it to her.  In fact, she may have gotten it from someone at work.  Infectious diseases in the real world don’t always neatly move in the direction we expect.

Other studies claim that the spirochetes of syphilis and those of Lyme Disease are similar.  While it’s true they are similar, they do not share the same environmental preferences.  Lyme spirochetes don’t survive very long on the surface of the skin.  However, syphilis spirochetes do very well in moist superficial skin lesions.

If detected during pregnancy, Lyme Disease can be easily treated in the mother with antibiotics that do not harm the fetus.  The CDC says, “Untreated Lyme disease during pregnancy may lead to infection of the placenta and possible stillbirth.”  Lymediseaseassociation.org says, “The bacteria can also be passed through the placenta of a pregnant woman to the fetus—congenital transmission.”  Since a Lyme infection occurs through the blood, it makes sense a fetus can become infected.

When considering breast milk in mothers, the DNA of Lyme Disease has been found.  This does not mean it has been proven that a newborn can get Lyme Disease through breast milk, only that evidence of the disease is present in the milk.  There have not been any cases linking breast milk in the transmission of Lyme Disease.

Researchers know that the Lyme bacteria can survive blood bank storage conditions.  Once again, there have been no suspected cases of Lyme transmission through blood transfusions.  However, animal studies do show that Lyme bacteria can be transmitted through blood transfusions in mice.

The CDC does not consider the transmission of Lyme Disease through sexual intimacy very likely.  As mentioned earlier, there is anecdotal evidence of possible sexual transmission but much more research needs to be done.  There are already enough sexually transmitted diseases for everyone to be concerned about transmitting to their sexual partners, without knowing if Lyme Disease is one of them.  Taking precautions regarding any infection someone may have, on behalf of sexual partners, should be common sense behavior.

Scientists know that it generally takes 24-36 hours before a tick can transmit Lyme Disease through its bite.  Therefore, even with a tick carrying Lyme Disease, it takes some time for the infection to be transmitted.  Once established a Lyme infection can be long-lasting.  Even after successful treatment and test results showing no Lyme Disease is present, Lyme spirochetes, B. burgdorferi, can be present in small numbers in patients for years.  Until further research is done, it only seems prudent to be safe until a physician confirms a Lyme infection no longer exists.

Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery  to learn more about protecting yourself and your family from the risks of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease in your backyard! Sign up today • (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

 

 

The famous faces of Lyme Disease

The Ixodes scapularis tick (AKA the black-legged tick or deer tick) carries the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease which is called Borrelia burgdorferi .

We all love reading about what is happening in the lives of our favorite celebrities. Whether it is an athlete that we admire or the talent of our favorite musician, our ears and eyes perk up when they are mentioned in the media. Most of the time the areas reported on most within the world of celebrities are trivial and only gives us a peek into their facade and doesn’t gauge them as “real” people who suffer from “real” problems. Recently, that has started to change as more and more celebrities are coming forward to speak about their ordeal with a sometimes debilitating disease called Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease is a BIG problem caused by the bite of a tiny tick. The Ixodes scapularis tick (AKA the black-legged tick or deer tick) can carry the bacterium that causes Lyme Disease which is called Borrelia burgdorferi . Contrary to belief, ticks are not born infected with the bacterium and must feed from a host infected with the bacterium in order to become infected and before transmission is possible. The most prevalent source the tick acquires the bacteria from a rodent, such as a white footed mouse, or field mouse.

The most prevalent source of where the tick gets the bacteria is from rodents, such as white footed mice, or field mice.

The tick then goes on to feed from a secondary host, which could quite possible be you, a member of your family, or even your pet. Ticks will attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme Disease bacterium can be transmitted. Most humans are infected with Lyme Disease through the bite of an immature tick called a nymph. Nymphs are tiny (about the size of a poppy-seed) and difficult to see; they feed during the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme Disease, but they are much larger and may be more likely to be discovered and removed before they have had time to transmit the bacteria. Adult Ixodes ticks are most active during the cooler months of the year, such as autumn.

Ticks do not select a host based on gender, race, age, sex, income or social status. Ticks are fiends that are non-discriminate and will feed from anyone who comes into contact with them, including celebrities.While we might not expect A-list celebrities to be traipsing through wooded, grassy areas on a regular basis, stars aren’t immune to tick bites — and many have used their fame to raise awareness for the illness. Here are a few of the famous faces that have been touched by the disease:

George W. Bush: In 2007, the annual report on the president’s health revealed that in August of 2006 Bush had been treated for Lyme Disease. A White House spokesman said the president likely was bitten during a bike ride. He noticed a rash that doctors treated, and he had no other symptoms or any recurrence, according to CNN.

Daryl Hall: Duo Hall and Oates were forced to cancel performances in 2005 when Daryl Hall was diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

Alec Baldwin :Few details are known about the actor’s Lyme Disease, but he told the New York Times that his symptoms are chronic and return annually.

Alice Walker: award-winning poet, author and civil rights activist. Among her many contributions to the literary world, “The Color Purple” is one of her crowning achievements. The book “The Color Purple” was made into a movie and Ms. Walker struggled with Lyme disease while filming was taking place. She later documented her struggle with the disease in an essay titled ‘The Same River Twice: Honoring the Difficult’, which was written and published in 1996.

Amy Tan:  Another well-known author who has suffered from late-stage Lyme disease and has become an activist in the fight to boost awareness of the disease. She is most well-known for her book “The Joy Luck Club”. Amy has her own website that chronicles her battle with Lyme disease and tells her story of how Lyme disease affected her life.

Among the list of celebrities that have been diagnosed with Lyme include actor Richard Gere, supermodel Christy Turlington, comedian Ben Stiller,  Governor of New York George E. Pataki, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, and recently singer Debbie Gibson revealed her battle with the disease.

Actor, Kevin Bacon recently joined forces with the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance for this Public Service Announcement:

The Tick-Borne Disease Alliance (TBDA) works to raise awareness for tick-borne disease. They work with other groups around the nation to support initiatives looking to find cures for diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis and more. One of the most important aspects of tick-borne diseases is getting a proper diagnosis. The TBDA is working on improving both the diagnostics and treatment for dangerous tick-borne diseases.

Our goal is to reduce the risk of coming into contact with a tick in the first place, because that tick could potentially be harboring a tick-borne illness such as Lyme Disease. Reducing your exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme Disease. We specialize in a tick prevention and control program that targets ticks during each stage of development. Our safe and effective barrier sprays eliminate adult ticks. Our barrier spray is also used in conjunction with our tick tube program that targets the nymph tick. Tick tubes can further decrease the chances of encountering a Lyme infected tick on your property.

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

The problem of Lyme Disease is large, but the solution to reducing your risk of getting the disease is simple – prevention and control.

Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery today to learn more•  (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

You can also follow us on Facebook and Google+

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month; learn how one bite can change a life forever

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

You may have heard about the prevalence and risks associated with Lyme Disease on the  6 o’clock news. You may have even experienced the disease first-hand by association, from a friend or family member who has contracted the disease. Or maybe you, yourself, have had, or still suffer from Lyme Disease. Whatever the case, Lyme Disease is a disease that is not to be taken lightly.

Lyme Disease is the 6th highest notable disease in North America and is on the rise. Maryland is no stranger to this dangerous tick-borne illness. Statistically, 95% of all Lyme disease cases reported have spawned from 13 US states, Maryland is among these 13 states. In order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the risk of coming into contact with a tick carrying the disease it is important  to exercise tick safe practices in conjunction with an effective tick control and prevention program: like the effective tick control and prevention program we offer at Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

One tiny tick can mean big trouble!

Each year, more than 30,000 Americans contract Lyme Disease. This illness can have lifelong effects on its victims and can even cause what is referred to as Chronic Lyme Disease. Symptoms from Lyme Disease usually become apparent 3-30 days following the bite of an infected tick. In some cases the symptoms are so mild those infected hardly take notice that something is wrong. Some people may have the well-known bulls-eye rash associated with Lyme Disease. This bulls-eye rash called erythema migrans, expands in a red circle at the site where the tick was attached. Other symptoms of Lyme Disease include fever, headache, muscle or joint pain. Many of those infected will experience a fever and flu-like symptoms without a rash. Other symptoms such as joint pain, rashes on other parts of the body or inflammation of the heart or nerves can occur. If the disease is not treated, some patients may experience additional symptoms such as inflammation and excessive joint pain (Arthritis), neurological disorders and mental changes months after being infected.

The prognosis for those infected with Lyme Disease is good if the disease is detected and diagnosed early. Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of the disease usually recover rapidly and completely. The longer the disease goes untreated the greater the risk of suffering from acute symptoms that can persist for years. This is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome also referred to as Chronic Lyme Disease. Chronic Lyme Disease can continue for years, even following repeated courses of antibiotics. In these cases Lyme Disease can greatly affect your day-to-day activities and your quality of life as a whole.

It is hard to fathom that such a tiny insect can cause such a big disease, and big problems in many cases for patients whose lives have been greatly affected by the disease. Here is an excerpt from the Academy Award semifinalist, Under Our Skin, which exposes the controversy surrounding the growing and hidden epidemic that is Chronic Lyme Disease.

Our goal is to reduce the risk of coming into contact with a tick in the first place, because that tick could potentially be harboring a tick-borne illness such as Lyme Disease. Reducing your exposure to ticks is the best defense against Lyme Disease. We specialize in a tick prevention and control program that targets ticks during each stage of development. Our safe and effective barrier sprays eliminate adult ticks. Our barrier spray is also used in conjunction with our tick tube program that targets the nymph tick. Tick tubes can decrease the chances of encountering a Lyme infected tick on your property.

Susan Levi, Owner Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery.

The problem of Lyme Disease is large, but the solution to reducing your risk of contraction of the disease is simple – prevention and control.

Contact Mosquito Squad of West Montgomery today to learn more•  (301) 444-5566 • email:westmontco@mosquitosquad.com

You can also follow us on Facebook and Google+