Tick Population Explodes in Massachusetts – New CDC Report Has Staggering Numbers

The CDC is reporting thee times the illnesses transmitted to humans by mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas since 2004. Worse yet the number of those related to ticks in Massachusetts is 50,000 which puts us at 3rd highest in the nation.

Mass Live and the Boston Patch are both reporting on this new CDC research discovery. One of the concerns of the CDC is that the US is truly not prepared for this kind of increase. Dr. Thomas Mather, a University of Rhode Island professor, says that our region is “the worst for Lyme disease more than anywhere else in the nation.” Here we are already the worst, and with numbers growing, warm weather puts us at even higher risk for bites from infected ticks. According to this CDC report, mosquito illness is up in Massachusetts as well. The list of germs that cause disease via mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks are growing and CDC Director Robert R. Redfield says “we don’t know what will threaten Americans next.” He believes that we must increase our investment in local control organizations as they are the front line in our fight against diseases such as Zika, chikungunya, West Nile, Lyme, and plague.  

Causes of the Vector-Borne Disease Increase

As we saw with the Zika virus, international travel can be a factor in the growth of vector-borne illness. Once a new germ is introduced there is the possibility of quick spread, especially in regions with a high mosquito or tick population. Weather is also a huge factor. Changing climate patterns, longer warm seasons in northern states, heavier humidity have all contributed to the increase in bug populations.

There are some basic protection guidelines that the CDC urges you to follow:

• Use EPA registered insect repellents
• Wear sleeves and long pants when in areas that pests can be present
• Treat shoes, clothes, bags, and tents with permethrin
• Use control methods for your pets
• Do daily tick checks with pets and family.

At Mosquito Squad of Franklin & Framingham, we have some suggestions too. Follow our 5Ts of Mosquito Control and our 6Cs of tick proofing your yard. We can’t rely on government agencies to do all the work, we have to start protection of our families at home. By limiting the population growth right in our own backyards we are doing our part to help dial back the growing numbers nationwide.

Professional treatment is a vital part of the grand scheme of flea, mosquito, and tick control and our barrier sprays are guaranteed to serve you best. You do your part and let us do our part by doing what we do best. Call today and schedule your first appointment. We look forward to building a long-lasting relationship of education about and protection from diseases and the pests that carry them.