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Lyme Disease: It’s Not the Deer’s Fault

If you think deer play an important role in the spread of Lyme disease, think again.

If you think deer play an important role in the spread of Lyme disease, think again.

New studies, reported in the Times, indicate that small mammals like white-footed mice are crucial to the prevalence of Lyme.

And “birds are also major carriers of Lyme disease bacteria and might be even more significant carriers than rodents because of the distances they can easily travel.”

Here's the link.

sebastian dangerfield June 25, 2012 at 07:23 pm
paul
youre not crazy to want to kill deer because there is an overpopulation; because they cause car accidents that cause property damage as well as human life on occasion. What is not helpful is to ignore or ridicule the arguments posed on the opposite side of the equation. Sure , deer carry ticks, and ticks are lyme carriers-and people should want to control lyme disease, and one way is to limit deer. All that is true (or at least in my opinion it is.) But to take the stance that there is an overpopulation of deer doesnt mean that people cant be afraid of poor marksmen; shouldnt be concerned about evaluating the proper deer level: and the right way to eradicate them. I agree the 'blood thirsty hunter' is hyperbole. Unnecessary and does little else, but provoke a reaction from those hunters who are sane and level -headed. But joe blow who calls anti hunters 'nazi's and terrorists then says "who ever said Im a gun enthusiast? Etc just to play a game-- (the game is Ill argue with every point--even that I NEVER SAID I am a gun enthusiast---as though he is incapable of seeing where that conclusion was made) . Those type of arguments lead nowhere.
sebastian dangerfield June 25, 2012 at 07:32 pm
joe blow
You say "If you care to do your own research and prove that the NRA or some other pro-second amendment or hunting organization does the same have at it or shut the hell up." Ahh the brilliant _-ill pretend to be smart--right up until the point where someone makes a relevant point, and then Ill act stupid and incapable of understanding yur point. Joe--are you wanting to appear to be smart or stupid? Its seems both -- Sure ill post a few names Timothy McVeigh --gun enthsuaist/ hunter --killed women and children deliberately. here is a case where it was an accident http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/deer_hunter_kills_student_dJLcR8TEpN4ynSthUxhwJM http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57424141-504083/peter-keller-wash-man-suspected-of-killing-wife-and-daughter-found-dead-in-bunker-police-say/ Hunter--nra guy hunting rifle used to kill grandmom etc http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2155897/Man-kills-mother-71-vacationing-teen-nephew-shooting-faces-hunting-rifles.html There we go---im sure its a big surprise to you!! Incredible the dishonesty that exists when you get people like this on blogs.. its laughable.
Marley June 25, 2012 at 09:27 pm
Killing deer to make them healthier? Interesting idea... sort of.
"The good news is you won't be hungry anymore. The bad news is you'll be dead."
Nancy Jones June 25, 2012 at 09:49 pm
In general, I do not think the mice studies are at all new. I had my first bout of Lyme disease 20 years ago, and since have had it twice more, as well as an almost fatal bout of Erlichiosis (also a tick-borne disease).I am debilitated from chronic issues like many in the same boat. I am also a veterinary professional and remember the days when Lyme first became a real concern for dogs as well as humans and everyone was running to the garden store to buy kits to eradicate the lyme carrying MICE from the property, not the deer. It's a mis-conception that deer are solely at fault based on the name "Deer Tick", which is the transmitter of Lyme to pets and humans. Deer get a bad rap in this . It's this same mentality of humans that also leads the masses to believe that gassing to death a large number of innocent, random Canada Geese that live near the airport is going to prevent plane crashes due to bird strikes. Not an efficient plan. And senseless blame of blameless wildlife. And so it goes......
Tom Falconieri June 25, 2012 at 10:28 pm
http://www.cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafety/Teen_Drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html
Tom Falconieri June 25, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Man, however, has assumed the role of many predators. Through regulated hunting, adequate numbers of animals are removed from growing populations each year, keeping deer herds in balance with their habitat. Also, by balancing the deer harvest with the annual fawn crop, relatively stable and healthy populations can be maintained.
Tom Falconieri June 25, 2012 at 10:50 pm
Harvest regulation is an essential part of sound management for white-tailed deer. Regulating the harvest is necessary to keep deer populations in relative balance with their food supply. Where food is abundant and deer are healthy, a sustained but regulated harvest maintains healthy conditions and prevents overpopulation. In areas where deer are approaching overpopulation and food supplies are becoming critical, herd reduction is necessary. Heavy deer harvests become important to prevent further damage to the habitat and a decline in deer quality.
Marley June 25, 2012 at 10:54 pm
I dunno. The deer around here seem pretty darned healthy. When saying we are killing the deer to keep them healthy, it sounds like we are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.
Has anyone ever seen an emaciated deer in these parts?
Tom Falconieri June 25, 2012 at 11:08 pm
http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/urbandeer07.pdf
Tom Falconieri June 25, 2012 at 11:21 pm
In some states, such as Connecticut, this means that hunters are no longer controlling the deer population. “What is potentially controlling the deer in the suburbs is soccer moms in SUVs.”
“Here in Connecticut, cars are the number one killer of deer.” As many as 13,000 deer a year may be killed by hunters, while cars kill up to 18,000 deer in the state each year. Better hope one does not come through your windshield . YOU WILL BE KILLED PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!
Joe Blow June 26, 2012 at 12:22 am
Hey Luca, maybe you didn't pass the third grade reading comprehensions coarse. People are NOT 501-c-3 non-profit organisations.
Joe Blow June 26, 2012 at 12:33 am
Hey Fred, one more thing. It's funny nobody was concerned about "brave enough to be into guns" when the U.S. Government slapped an M-16 in my hand and dropped me from a helicopter in South East Asia and told me "kill or be killed". The real bravery was coming home and wearing my class A's and being spat upon by the likes of people like you and the other liberals. Your game of throwing out a bunch of crap backed up with NOTHING is laughable. Like I told you, you're in way over your head. People are not as stupid as you would like them to be, we see right through you and the other crybabies here.
sebastian dangerfield June 26, 2012 at 03:46 am
if tom signs his name to something reasonably intelligent---then we know it wasnt written by him.
Similar to most of his claims--they simply are not attributable to him. www.clemson.edu/extension/natural.../fs34_whitetailed_deer.htmlwww.clemson.edu/extension/natural.../fs34_whitetailed_deer.html Then type in the box " fact sheet 34."...and alas----tom's 'thoughts' are someone else's.
Frederick Klein June 26, 2012 at 12:49 pm
The Vietnam vets I've known are brave enough to state their opinions using their real names. If you are indeed a vet, I applaud your service to our country, but it doesn't make you an expert on deer ticks, deer population control, Lyme Disease, and classification of domestic terrorists and Nazis.
Eileen June 26, 2012 at 01:28 pm
Well said!
Joe Blow June 26, 2012 at 01:29 pm
Well Freddy, I am failing to see what bearing a name associated with a statement has other than a reason for small minded people to divert from the truth at hand. But like most small minded people you fixate on BS and could not let an opportunity slip by to take one more jab at my character. Not a problem, I have dealt with people like you my whole life. I have nothing to prove to you or anybody else to pump my ego as I know who and what I am and the people I care about know as well.
In regards to "it doesn't make you an expert on deer ticks, deer population control, Lyme Disease, and classification of domestic terrorists and Nazis", I never said I was an expert on these subjects but I did supply links to both the DHS & the FBI that clearly defines who are domestic terrorists. As far as deer/tick control goes, I have worked on both a personal and professional level with the St. of Conn. DEP wildlife biologists who do extensive research on this subject. I would think they know what they're talking about, IDK.
Frederick Klein June 26, 2012 at 01:47 pm
Joe Blow - Perhaps you've presented yourself in a more dignified and reasonable fashion to the people you know in your life than you have done here. If you wish to be treated as a reasonable person, then you should leave reasonable comments, and stand by them instead of focusing on where you've left some purported wiggle room, mocking names (I am not "Freddy"), and hiding behind a nom de plume (sorry, but it's cowardly).
Joe Blow June 26, 2012 at 02:11 pm
Well Freddy, I guess this is where we part ways. I am not accustom to dealing with people who base decisions on emotions and feelings by disregarding the facts (liberals). You have presented nothing here by spewing a bunch of crap based on NOTHING while working diligently to throw personal insults at whom ever you cross paths with, I know your type quite well.
You obviously don't get it, I could care less what you think and YOU might earn some respect if you presented something of substance with something to back it up rather than the same ol' rhetoric you have presented in the past.
Frederick Klein June 26, 2012 at 02:29 pm
Joe Blow - It seems to me that you are the one spewing insults and rhetoric. What's the rhetoric I've presented "in the past" to which you are referring? That I thought it was inappropriate for you to call animal activists terrorists and Nazis based on the acts of one group? (And don't be a wuss and hide by saying you didn't say they were *all* terrorists and Nazis; the general nature of your accusation was plain: "If all you tree hugger's and Nazi animal rights people . . .")
R. Ludlowe June 26, 2012 at 03:27 pm
That's an interesting document. it clearly associates the tick and deer populations together and discusses all of the options for remediating this issue, including hunting and targeting the antler-less deer.
Death by auto is a horrible way for the deer to die, and is a very large threat to motorists. All hunters that I know respect the game that they kil and provide a quick death as opposed to lying in agony for hours by the roadside. Growing up in this area, it was a rare thing to see a deer--even in some of the more remote areas of Fairfield. if I DON'T see a deer every day, its an odd thing nowadays. I'm all for population control in whatever way doesn't put me or my family in danger. If people want to hunt and will eat/donate the meat--it makes no difference to me.
Charlene June 26, 2012 at 03:37 pm
@R. Ludlowe - Very well said!
I grew up in Fairfield County and I remember the first time I saw a deer. I was 17 years old (this was over 20 years ago). I see deer everyday now. They walk thru my back yard, and I see carcasses on the side of the Merritt nearly everyday.
Frederick Klein June 26, 2012 at 03:56 pm
Nothing, and I do mean nothing, persuades me that someone else on the Internet is right than when they put words in capital letters.
AugustWest June 26, 2012 at 05:18 pm
Mice are the primary reservoir for the bacteria, B. burgdorferi ; Ixodes ticks then transmit the B. burgdorferi infection to deer.
Christine E. June 26, 2012 at 05:46 pm
Hey Eileen,
That's all fine and well, but not everyone's Lyme Disease is diagnosed and treated that easily. Some people are completely unaware that they have ever been bitten (like myself). I had very minimal symptoms, so I just attributed it to being tired and underslept, until one day I woke up and half of my face was paralyzed. It lasted months and I never regained full mobility. So please, spare me the "it's no worse than the flu" garbage. Not everyone's situation is the same.
R. Ludlowe June 26, 2012 at 06:05 pm
Lets face it, the Mice and Deer are in cahoots.
Unfortunately, they dont make HUGE spring-loaded deer-traps -- and mice are pretty darn hard to shoot with a gun OR a bow. If you run a mouse over, you probably wouldnt know, and it won't require a call to your insurance company. I dont think anyone is arguing to kill deer and not the mice. I'm also pretty sure we have the mouse-killing thing as good as we are going to get it.
James Taradine June 26, 2012 at 06:12 pm
I think it's time to drop the subject. It's gone way beyond the initial comments and has become very personal and boring to be honest. Let it go, please.
Jim Taradine
Eileen June 26, 2012 at 06:39 pm
@ Christine E.
Yours is the exception, NOT the rule. So spare me the "We're all gonna die" crap....
Frederick Klein June 26, 2012 at 06:51 pm
Eileen - You should be thankful that your daughter is ok, but it should not lead you to minimize what others whose symptoms are worse are going through. Some people's indication that they have Lyme is Bell's Palsy, with half of their faces paralyzed. Perhaps you could take it down a notch from Defcon-5 and apologize to Christine E.
AugustWest June 26, 2012 at 07:06 pm
Go pound sand you hoser.
AugustWest June 26, 2012 at 07:07 pm
R. Ludlowe, what are you rambling about exactly?

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Creeky June 18, 2013 at 08:46 pm
FHA Exposed, you can rest. She turned herself in:Read More http://www.justice.gov/usao/ct/Press2013/20130604.html If you are looking for some comeuppance for those that kept this quiet, and handled what they could out of the public's eye, I wish you success in your endeavors, and the best of luck--I think you'll need it.
Thomas Paine June 18, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Creeky - For a dead guy, I try to keep busy: http://wilton.patch.com/blogs/thomas-paines-blog
Creeky June 18, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Thomas, you certainly do. I enjoyed "Outside the Box."
Creeky June 18, 2013 at 09:34 pm
Atticus, Ralph Arnone is next scheduled to appear in court on July 1st, at which point he isRead More expected to enter a plea. As an aside, one isn't supposed to go to bed and wake up still angry at the same thing, day in, day out, week in, week out, month in, month out... I'm not trying to give you a hard time. I care deeply about firefighters and I'm genuinely concerned about you. You were exposed to a lot of chemicals in your career. You may have some endocrine system damage or something causing an electrolyte disorder. This stuff starts out with things like joint pain and minor psychological implications but, it gets much, much worse. Get to the doc. Maybe you're just a spicy guy, maybe Ralph hurt you in some terrible way, or maybe you are sick and as a result, you'll be facing a much shortened a painful life. Honestly, I'm not trying to give you a hard time or pick a fight.
Atticus Fich June 19, 2013 at 06:01 am
Well thanks for your concern Creeky. But at my age I cant say I have lived a shorten life. As forRead More chemicals...well as most of the posters here on this rag say, firemen do nothing 99.9% of the day so I guess the on chemical exposure would be to the big comfy leather chairs in the dayroom. Why do you care anyway Creeky? In your previous posts about me you said, don't feed to trolls. You are not honest Creeky. Take your fake concern and false "honesty" and waste it on someone else. Not trying to give you a hard time, those are your comments about me. Where did you get the info on Ralphy?
Creeky June 19, 2013 at 08:05 am
Atticus, review your own posts. It isn't trolling. It's a vendetta. If you think I'm dishonest,Read More fine. I'm not going to try to speak rationally with someone whom is irrational. Why do I care? Because I've seen how much care fireman are capable of, and how much they give of themselves. It's respect and karma. As far as where I got the info, it's publicly available. If you wanted my help in how to find it yourself, perhaps you shouldn't have attacked my character. You are on your own now.