How the Lyme Disease Reduction Program Works

A $250 onetime cost pays for the initial rodent station installation. After that it is $56 per month for ongoing service.  You can cancel at any time by calling our office at 800-990-0335.

1. Exterior Rodent control services Nov – March
2. Exterior tick control services spring, early summer, summer -late summer.

Lyme disease has become an increasingly common health concern, particularly in our area where both white-footed mice and black-legged ticks are present. The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for Lyme disease, is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, which often acquire the bacteria from white-footed mice. Addressing the Lyme disease threat requires a coordinated, community-wide approach that targets these hosts and vectors at the right times of the year. This article outlines the importance of controlling white-footed mouse populations in the fall, winter, and early spring, alongside specific pest control treatments aimed at reducing tick populations in the spring and summer, providing a higher level of protection and improved health for all in the neighborhood.

Seasonal Targeted Approach: Controlling Mice and Ticks

To effectively reduce the threat of Lyme disease, it is essential to treat both the white-footed mice and black-legged ticks during specific times of the year. Here’s how a coordinated, seasonal approach works:

Fall, Winter, and Early Spring: White-Footed Mice Control

During the cooler months, controlling white-footed mice populations is essential. This can be achieved through Planet Friendly Pest Control’s environmentally safe and humane pest control measures that focus on reducing the number of mice in and around homes, including baiting to prevent them from entering homes or outbuildings. By addressing the mice population during this time, we lower the number of infected mice that ticks can feed on in the spring, thereby reducing tick infection rates.

Spring and Summer: Tick Control

Ticks become more active as temperatures rise. During the spring and summer, targeted tick treatments should be applied around yards and areas where ticks are commonly found, such as wooded edges, gardens, and shaded areas. Planet Friendly Pest Control’s tick treatment gently touches the environment while specially targeting ticks. These treatments can significantly reduce tick populations around your home and, when done in conjunction with neighboring properties, create a wide-reaching protective zone. This type of targeted treatment, particularly if done on multiple adjoining properties, can drastically lower the chance of ticks migrating between areas, ensuring a safer, more effective Lyme disease Reduction plan.

Why a Coordinated Approach Matters

The cycle of Lyme disease transmission involves an intricate relationship between white-footed mice, black-legged ticks, and the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterium. White-footed mice are often the primary reservoirs for this bacterium. As ticks feed on infected mice, they acquire the bacterium and can then transmit it to humans and pets. By reducing the population of these mice, we decrease the number of infected ticks and, therefore, reduce the likelihood of human Lyme disease cases.

A single property treatment provides only limited protection, as mice and ticks can migrate across property boundaries. By participating in a coordinated effort, neighbors can collectively lower the population of both mice and ticks throughout the area, thereby reducing the threat of Lyme disease transmission to a significantly greater extent. A multi-neighbor treatment approach creates a protective barrier that keeps our communities safer and healthier than individual efforts could achieve alone.

Community Effort: Better Together

When neighbors participate in coordinated Lyme disease Reduction efforts, the benefits extend across the community. Here’s why:

• Broader Coverage: When multiple properties are treated, there’s a higher chance of keeping mouse and tick populations down throughout the neighborhood.
• Greater Impact: Ticks can travel across property lines, which means one treated yard may not be enough to significantly lower risk. However, by treating an entire neighborhood, you limit ticks’ ability to survive and spread.
• Stronger Barrier: Multiple treated properties create a buffer zone, reducing the likelihood of Lyme disease transmission. This proactive approach helps prevent ticks from crossing untreated areas into treated ones, enhancing overall protection.

Join the Program

To maximize Lyme disease Reduction, we encourage you to join our neighborhood-wide treatment program. Working together, we can take a proactive stand against Lyme disease, creating a healthier, safer environment for everyone. Let’s protect our homes, our families, and our community by coordinating our efforts.

FAQs

Q: How do white-footed mice contribute to the spread of Lyme disease?

A: White-footed mice are a primary reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. When ticks feed on these infected mice, they can transmit the bacterium to humans and pets.

Q: Why is it important to control both mice and ticks?

A: Controlling both mice and ticks breaks the Lyme disease transmission cycle. By reducing mouse populations, we lower the number of infected ticks in the area, and by targeting ticks, we minimize the chances of disease transmission.

Q: Can’t I just treat my own yard?

A: Treating only one yard has limited impact, as ticks and mice can easily migrate from untreated areas. A coordinated approach across multiple properties provides a broader zone of protection, significantly reducing the risk of Lyme disease in the neighborhood.

Q: What treatments are used for mouse and tick control?

A: Environmentally safe treatments are used to control mouse populations, including baiting and exclusion techniques. For tick control, targeted pest control treatments are applied to high-risk areas in the spring and summer.

Q: How can I join the program?

A: Contact us today to learn more about joining our neighborhood Lyme disease Reduction program. Together, we can create a safer, healthier community for all.

Let’s work together to reduce the risk of Lyme disease. Join our community program today and make a lasting difference!