Re: [Maine-birds] Re: ticks already

Ticks can't just instantly spit the disease into you. 

In addition to Scott's link, please also see this information from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/index.html

and this information sheet from the New York Times: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/lyme-disease/print.html

The NYT info says this, among other useful information: "In general, the risk for developing Lyme disease after a tick bite is only 1 - 3%. The risk varies depending on different factors:

• The longer the tick has fed, the greater the risk.
• Nymph ticks carry a greater risk than adult ticks, probably because they are often too small to be detected (about the size of a pinhead). In addition, only nymph ticks that are at least partially swollen when removed pose any significant risk. (This suggests that they have feeding for a prolonged period.)"

We've been spoiled up here in Maine, but have to face the reality that ticks are here to stay, thanks to global climate change. Our (Coastal Mountains Land Trust's) stewardship team picks them up virtually every month of the year now, and we're not even in southern Maine. So prepare for them when you're outside, and check yourself for them when you get back inside. 

But there's no need to be alarmist about ticks, Lyme-carrying or otherwise, and you shouldn't let them stop you from enjoying the great outdoors. Use common sense, and if you get bitten by a tick and have any concerns about it, take a preventative antibiotic. As more Mainers encounter Lyme ticks, more and more doctors are getting savvy to diagnosing it. 

Kristen

On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 2:14 PM, Scott Richardson <scott.xot@gmail.com> wrote:

> That 12-48 hour talk isn't true at all unfortunately

There must be some truth to it. See the Vector-borne Disease Laboratory at Maine Medical Center Research Institute...

http://www.mmcri.org/home/webSubContent.php?list=webcontentlive&id=110&catID=4&subCatID=19

Scott Richardson

On Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 7:30 AM, Susan Guare <susanguare@gmail.com> wrote:

More info, Dan, please?  I always wondered about the 12-hour window.  Do you have access to an article I could read?  Thanks.

On Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 4:22 PM, Dan Terrence <danterrence@comcast.net> wrote:

I had one crawling on me a month ago. They could be out all winter long if the temperature is above 30 degrees or so. And they will infect you if they have any bacteria or parasites right away. As soon as they inject their saliva to numb the area, then they have given you whatever they might have. That 12-48 hour talk isn't true at all unfortunately. Good luck and keep an eye open for a rash and any wierd symptoms in the near future!

Dan

On Sunday, March 10, 2013 2:43:56 PM UTC-4, Robin Robinson wrote:

Phippsburg, Me Map 6 Totman Cove

for all of you who will soon be thrashing about in the weeds, I just took a deer tick from my leg. I had just gone out to the compost pile, no further. There is still plenty of snow on the ground. So, due diligence required already,

Robin R Robinson
Birding with Bugs In The Burg                                               

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Kristen Lindquist
12 Mount Battie St.
Camden, ME 04843
www.klindquist.blogspot.com

"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
--Mary Oliver

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