Deer Tick information - BE CAREFUL!!!

[Steve Mirick]

Over the last 3 days, I've pulled off 4 Deer ticks from my body and
sadly 2 of them were attached....one overnight.  This is due to me being
lazy and not paying attention.  There are now several tick infections
that can impact us up here. It's NOT JUST LYME DISEASE ANYMORE.  So, I
decided to try to educate myself again, and am taking this opportunity
to put together some information for everyone.  TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE:

SUMMARY
---------------
* This season appears to be shaping up to be bad in the Northeast. May
through August are the most dangerous months.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2026/2026-cdc-data-show-weekly-er-visits-for-tick-bites-higher-than-usual.html

* There are now many infections to consider from ticks.  Almost all of
them are transmitted through adult (female) and nymph (both sexes) Deer
ticks.  Dog Ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Tularemia
(both very serious), but almost all occurrences appear to come from Cape
Cod and the Islands.  The Lone Star Tick is advancing northeastward and
can now be found in Massachusetts, but, again, mostly confined to Cape
Cod and the Islands.  The strange and potentially deadly "Alpha Gal
Symdrome" causes a red meat allergy, but so far seems to be only
transmitted by the Lone Star Tick and so should not (currently) be a
problem in NH.  There are currently 5 infections, all from Deer Ticks to
be concerned about in New Hampshire.  See discussion below.
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/infectious-disease-control/tickborne-diseases


DEER TICKS
---------------
* Deer ticks, or Eastern Black-legged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) is the
only species of "Deer Tick" around here.  They are most common in
southeastern NH, but can be found everywhere south of the White
Mountains.  It still appears to be scarce north of the White Mountains? 
They can be locally abundant, and for some reason, quite variable from
year to year.  Warmer winters seem to be a factor.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=52339&subview=map&taxon_id=60598

* Deer ticks go through a two-year life cycle including 4 stages of life
(egg, larva, nymph, adult).  The egg and larva stage are harmless. 
Diseases are only transmitted in the nymph and adult stages.  Larva
(incredibly small) are hatched from their egg without Lyme disease, but
many acquire it from their host.

* Adult Deer Ticks are most easily seen and removed, but are still very
small compared to Dog Ticks.  They are also very quick to grab on and
bite you.  They are chasing deer (and humans) which are their primary
host species as adults.  Only the female adults bite you as the males
are just out looking for females.  Adults hang out at about knee-high
elevation on low branches and shrubs.  They can be active all year (even
in winter!), but are most active in early spring and later in the fall.

* Nymphs are active from May through July, but perhaps most active in
June...generally after the adults.  They are out looking for chipmunks
and white-footed mice, but also will readily bite humans. They are VERY
SMALL and hard to see.  I think I've only seen one once!  But that makes
them more dangerous as they can bite you and you don't even know it. 
The nymph stage is reported to be responsible for most of the human
cases of Lyme Disease cases in Massachusetts.

* For Lyme Disease, the Deer Tick needs to be attached FOR AT LEAST 24
HOURS in order for the bacteria to be transmitted to humans.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5857464/


INFECTIONS CONFIRMED IN NH
-------------------------------------------
* Lyme Disease bacteria - Lyme Disease is still the most common
tick-transmitted disease and cases continues to grow in the Northeastern
United States with 1,563 new cases in NH in 2021. There are initial
symptoms for Lyme Disease (bullseye rash), but sometimes they are not
present.  Doctors often will prescribe an easy single-dose treatment of
an antibiotic as a prophylactic if you find the tick before symptoms
appear.  If the disease goes undetected and untreated, it can sometimes
cause long-term problems.  Approximately 25% of nymph Deer Ticks carry
Lyme Disease and 50% of adults carry Lyme Disease.  Although Nymphs are
less likely to carry the disease, they are the most likely to transmit
it due to their difficulty in detection.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease
https://wisdom.dhhs.nh.gov/wisdom/topics.html?topic=tickborne-disease
https://www.tickcheck.com/stats/state/new-hampshire/lyme
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/diagnosis-testing/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/lyme-disease-case-map.html
https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2025/01/northeast-50-adult-ticks-carry-lyme-disease

* Anaplasmosis bacteria (HGA) - About 10% of people with Lyme Disease
will also have Anasplasmosis as a co-infection. Tick must be attached
for over 24 hours in order to transmit the bacteria. Causes flu-like
symptoms 1-2 weeks after a bite.  Fortunately, it is treated just like
Lyme Disease with an antibiotic.  Can be dangerous in elderly or people
with compromised immune system.

* Babesiosis parasite -   Most common in MA, but increasing. Usually not
fatal, but flu-like symptoms can last several months and can be more
severe in elderly or people with compromised immune system.  Can be
treated if caught early. Tick must be attached for 24-36 hours in order
to transmit the parasite.

* Powassan virus - Fairly rare, but increasing.  61 cases detected in 10
years in MA and at least 8 detected in NH.  Most people don't have
symptoms, but For those with severe cases, there is no treatment and up
to 10% of people WILL DIE.  .  Ticks may not need to be attached for
very long.
https://www.cdc.gov/powassan/data-maps/historic-data.html
https://www.lymedisease.org/massachusetts-powassan-death/

* Borrelia miyamotoi bacteria (HTRF).  Not a lot known (first described
in 1995), but apparently much less common than Lyme. Presents flu-like
symptoms 2 weeks after bite and does not appear to be generally
serious.  Treated with antibiotics.


PROTECTION
-----------------
* Permethrin may be the best method for protecting yourself.  Treat you
socks and your pants especially.  RETREAT EVERY 6 WEEKS OR 6 WASHINGS.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TNYPQY4?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_image&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Bens-Clothing-Gear-Insect-Repellent/dp/B06X9Q2HJ2/?th=1

* If you aren't wearing clothes coated with Permethrin, spray your
clothes with Deet or Picaridin.  I RECOMMEND A SPRAY BOTTLE (rather than
a pump) to help with spraying downward over your legs.

* If you don't spray or wear protective clothes.  DO A FULL BODY TICK
CHECK AT THE END OF THE DAY!!!!


Steve Mirick
Bradford, MA

[NHAtlatl]

To add a little to what Steve said:

Although it varies year to year and by location, any given area in NH has 50-90% of the deer tick population infected with Borrelia Burgdorferi. We are one of the hottest of the hotspots in the country.

There is NO minimum time frame for infections. The CDC has been ignoring it's own studies for years. The bacteria, virus, and parasites that ticks carry are in their stomach. Any irritation will cause them to regurgitate them into your bloodstream. If you say "OMG! is that a tick?" and scratch it back and forth, then you just injected everything it carries. That means that there is no minimum time frame.  If you find an imbedded tick, don't play with it. Use a good tick removal tool.

I've worked in the woods and pucker brush most of my life and this is shaping up to be one of the worst tick years ever.

[Elaine Faletra]

Thanks Steve,

There’s also a strong correlation with mast production and the subsequent rodent population booms.  For my immediate area, the past TWO YEARS have produced an overabundance of acorns.  The time lag is 1 to 2 years after a 'mast year’.  This is shaping up to be a really bad year from many reports despite the cold winter…and this would suggest next year also.  

For peace of mind, I always save a tick if it was attached for a while and even slightly engorged (never save in scotch tape!).  There are tick-testing labs that will do full workups on the tick using PCR.  I don’t send every one off.  But if I should start feeling ill, my backup is to send the tick off for testing in addition to a doctor visit.  It is more reliable to test the source of the disease than to try and figure out the disease(s) in humans.  I’ve used this company out of Amherst MA for years and have been very satisfied with their service:  https://www.tickreport.com/   But there are many out there.  I’m not sure how a physician would respond if I sent them my tick report??  Fortunately, I’ve never had to.  

There are also companies who will treat your personal clothing with pyrethrum as another option.  

My heart goes out to anyone who has dealt with any tick-borne disease.  

Elaine Faletra

Warren NH

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