What can we do?
While avoiding, repelling, removing ticks, and treating infections are personal priorities, there are also ways our community can help prevent and cure tick sicknesses.
Killing and Fencing Out Deer
These are the two methods that are being supported by Southold Town.
The problem with deer hunting is that it will only be effective if it eliminates a high percentage of deer. By killing a small percentage of the population the remaining deer have more room and food and may even breed faster!
The problem with deer fencing is that it concentrates the deer in unfenced areas. It is impossible to fence in the entire town.
The problem with deer hunting is that it will only be effective if it eliminates a high percentage of deer. By killing a small percentage of the population the remaining deer have more room and food and may even breed faster!
The problem with deer fencing is that it concentrates the deer in unfenced areas. It is impossible to fence in the entire town.
Methods to Control Ticks
Proven methods to control tick population include the following.
Guinea fowl eat ticks. If that is not enough reason to keep guinea fowl there are plenty of others. Guineas are wonderful companions yet they retain their wild side. Reasonable size flocks of guinea fowl also help control grubs and aerate soil. If guinea fowl are trained and shelter is provided they will not be a nuisance.
Deer and mice are both frequently infectious hosts of tick larvae and nymphs. Both can be treated by applications of pesticides to prevent ticks from feeding on them.
Guinea fowl eat ticks. If that is not enough reason to keep guinea fowl there are plenty of others. Guineas are wonderful companions yet they retain their wild side. Reasonable size flocks of guinea fowl also help control grubs and aerate soil. If guinea fowl are trained and shelter is provided they will not be a nuisance.
Deer and mice are both frequently infectious hosts of tick larvae and nymphs. Both can be treated by applications of pesticides to prevent ticks from feeding on them.