Backyard Tick-Borne Diseases

Bambi isn’t so cute anymore. I have to say I was a little shocked when I read this article. We all know about Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but other tick-borne diseases like babesiosis, STARI and ehrlichiosis are also on the rise. MSNBC’s report Under-the-Radar Tick Diseases Spreading Across the US details the frightening increase of these illnesses. Two St. Louis doctors are quoted in the article. Dr. Gregory Storch, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist at Washington University is heading up a tick-borne inter-disciplinary research team to investigate the who, what, when and why of the rising number of cases popping up in St. Louis. Dr. Farrin A. Manian is the chief of infectious diseases at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center. He theorizes that the rise in tick-borne diseases in the St. Louis area is due to a booming deer population that likes to sleep in the thick invasive honeysuckle that grows everywhere in our region. Then the deer venture onto lawns, parks, and backyards where ticks fall off eventually getting picked up by people and pets. Yuck!

How can you avoid ticks? Wear long sleeves, long pants, and a hat. Wear light-colored clothes so that you can see any ticks. Wear insect repellent with DEET. Be sure to give yourself and/or children a tick check. Don’t forget about the scalp!

Mosquito Squad can provide tick protection for your yard. Call us if you have any questions about our services and how we can help you: (314) 582-3980.