The Weekend Deer Tick Index

December 1 through 3, 2017:

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The Fordham Tick Index is an estimate of the risk of being bitten by a nymphal or adult deer tick. Both of these stages are active at this time of year, although the smaller nymph is responsible for many more cases of Lyme disease. This index measures risk relative to other times of year. For more information about preventing tick bites, controlling ticks, Lyme disease and other illnesses ticks carry, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Fordham Tick Index is provided as a weekly public service by Fordham University and is based on both current and historical data from one site in Westchester County, N.Y. It is an estimate only. Actual risk may vary geographically. Therefore, always take precautions to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

Tick Fact of the Week

Rumor: bringing a live Christmas tree into a home is a source of ticks.  Some people have reported hundreds of ticks crawling away from the tree a few days after it’s brought into the home. 

Fact: those “ticks” are frequently Cinara aphids that lived on the tree and while they are a nuisance, they aren’t a health threat.  And they won’t be able to live long in your home.

Happy Holidays!

For background on the Tick Index, see: What We Talk About When We Talk About Ticks

For further information, contact Thomas Daniels.