Tick Control in our Parks

Now that the warmer weather is here, people will be heading out to enjoy the many parks, trails and historic sites throughout New York. It’s important to remember to be safe while spending time outdoors. On May 15, Governor Cuomo announced an aggressive initiative to control Lyme and tick-borne diseases by controlling tick populations on public lands and through increased public awareness. It is a collaborative effort by the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

OPRHP’s Integrated Tick Management Program provides the guidance for the management of ticks in state parks and historic sites. In addition to new habitat management techniques to minimize exposure of visitors to ticks, and increased public outreach and education, OPRHP’s program recommends implementing methods to control tick populations. These methods include strategic application of eco-friendly tick control treatments, and the implementation of “tickicide” bait stations to limit ticks carried on deer, mice, and other small rodents.

To target deer, the state will expand the use of its 4-Poster deer treatment feed stations, which were developed by the US Departments of Agricultural Research Service. These stations consist of large bins that are filled with corn and contain rollers treated with permitherin. When the deer reaches its head in to feed on the corn, their head, neck and ears, brush against the treated rollers. This targets the application to the area where adult ticks attach. One of these stations can treat a 40-acre area and they are already in use on Long Island, including Robert Moses State Park and Connetquot River State Park.

Other tick control methods will target mice and small rodents. White-footed mice are a major host to tick larvae and nymphs, and are largely responsible for infecting ticks with the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Tick Tubes are cardboard tubes that contain cotton balls treated with permethrin. Mice carry the treated cotton balls back to their nest for bedding where it comes in contact with their fur, and will kill ticks during their larva stage. Additional small bait boxes will be use to attract small rodents. These boxes apply fipronil, which is commonly used to eliminate ticks on cats and dogs, to the animal when they enter to box to feed. This application will not harm the rodent but will kill the ticks carried by the rodent.

Public education and outreach are other key components of the Governor’s plan. OPRHP will continue to post metal tick warning signs at state parks, and will also distribute information and material to hunters through their hunting permit program, and make information available to park visitors. DEC will distribute information to hunters, anglers, and trappers in coordination with their sporting licenses, as well as through their website, electronic newsletters and mailing lists.

While these new tick control methods will help, park visitors need to take active measures to protect themselves while enjoying the outdoors. Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from ticks:

• Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
• Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
• Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.
• Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
• Consider using insect repellent.
• Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
• Avoid sitting directly on the ground or on stone walls.
• Keep long hair tied back, especially when gardening.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you.
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets), and remove ticks promptly.

For additional information check out the resources listed below:

► Governor Cuomo’s press release

► New York State Department of Health website

► Times Union article