The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York is one of the leading research authorities on lyme and other tick spread diseases"............. Richard Ostfeld, a disease ecologist at Cary along with James Burtis, a postdoctoral associate in the department of entomology at Cornell University recently opined regarding the projected severity of Lyme and other Tick transmitted diseases during this upcoming Spring and Summer season------"How bad will tick season be this year?".............. "When it comes to predicting how many of the ticks that cause Lyme disease will be biting this season, it's not about winter weather".............."Scientists say the strongest indicators are field mice and acorns"..............“We base our prediction on the abundance of white-footed mice in the prior summer"............."One of the biggest factors affecting the number of mice in a given year is the amount of acorns that drop to the ground the previous year".............There are an estimated 90 different specifies of ticks in the U.S, including Lone star ticks which carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and the relative newcomer, the Asian longhorned tick, which has been expanding its range since arriving here in 2017"................."For many people, east of the Mississippi River, it's the blacklegged, or deer, tick that causes most worry"....................."White-footed mouse numbers were down last year"...........“On that basis, it is expected that the coming Lyme season to be average or slightly below average in terms of risk"........... “But it’s risky every year and this should not be interpreted as meaning people should chill and not protect themselves"............"White-footed mice are not only the preferred host for larval blacklegged ticks, but they are also natural reservoirs for the plethora of diseases those blood-sucking bugs are known for".............."When larval blacklegged ticks bite these mice they can pick up as many as six different diseases, including Lyme, Powassan, babesiosis and anaplasmosis"....................Those diseases will linger in the tick’s system as it morphs into a nymph, the phase in which it is most likely to bite humans, and in the process passing along whatever bacteria, viruses or protozoans the tick has in its system".............."One perhaps surprising fact is that in each phase of its life, the tick bites only one animal or human(animal)"............"Then it moves on to the next phase"............."While you might think an especially hard winter would reduce tick numbers, it makes little difference to the blacklegged tick" .............“The blacklegged tick seems pretty resilient to the cold"................"During the winter they just burrow under leaf litter and hang out"............."For the most part, oak trees don’t shed their acorns annually"................."But sometimes they all drop their seeds at the same time in what is called a masting"................."To see an example of how a masting can impact the risk of Lyme disease, you don’t have to go back too many years".............."The most recent masting was in 2015"

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lori M. Quillen;QuillenL@caryinstitute.org
Date: Fri, May 3, 2019 at 9:25 AM
Subject: 🌎 Cary Institute - Lyme Disease, Ticks, Opossum Allies
To: rick.meril@gmail.com

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Science-based tick prevention tips, a peek at a new video, and more!

Time to  be tick -aware May is Lyme Disease Awareness month.  When enjoying the outdoors, reduce your  chances of getting a tick bite by wearing  light colored clothes, considering repellents,  and being vigilant about tick-checks. For science-based answers to common questions about tick-borne disease prevention, see this FAQ by Cary Institute  and Dutchess County. Tick ecology basics are covered in a Cary fact sheet and a new  video. Still have questions? Ask via  Facebook and we'll post answers  throughout the month of May. OF MICE; TICKS- view VIDEO BELOW In April, Cary disease ecologist Rick  Ostfeld discussed his work on the  ecology of Lyme and other tick-borne  diseases at WNYC's Greene Space in SoHo. Cary in the News CDC to Start Tracking  Ticks as Diseases Rise Cary's Rick Ostfeld weighs  in on WebMD coverage of  the Centers for Disease  Control and Prevention's  plans to begin monitoring tick numbers in regions  across the US. This work will help pinpoint tick hot-spots , where risk is especially high. Read more... Scientists Predict  the Coming Tick Season The Today Show explains  that predicting the severity  of summer tick numbers isn't about how harsh  the winter was; it's about things like acorns and mice. Cary's Rick Ostfeld provides expert  commentary on environmental factors that shape risk. Read more... Opossums: So Darn  Ugly They're Adorable Never mind their spiky teeth and scavenging habits – How Stuff Works covers why opossums  should be embraced. Cary's Rick Ostfeld explains why opossums are protective in two ways:  killing ticks and preventing infection. Read more... You can revolutionize Lyme disease prevention.