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In Howard County, Maryland, the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks (HCRP), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland (UMD) are conducting a study where they’re collaring white-footed mice to improve tick control that spread Lyme disease.<\/p>\n
The tracking of these mice is part of a bigger five-year ARS Tick Management Project that evaluates the use of integrated pest management methods or minimal pesticide to decrease the black-legged tick population. Some of these ticks are carrying bacteria caused by Lyme disease and can be found in gardens next to big Howard County parks and around single-family yards.<\/p>\n
Although Lyme disease-spreading ticks are commonly associated with deer, these ticks typically pick up the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi that’s responsible for the disease from infected white-footed mice. The white-footed mouse is another host for ticks to get their blood meal that can spread Lyme disease.<\/p>\n
Beginning now, an UMD and ARS team led by Grace Hummell, a UMD graduate assistant, will go to 4 sites and live trap 10 mice (5 female and 5 male) using cotton and food as bait. These are attractive material for the mice for nesting. These 4 sites are close to Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, Cedar Lane Park, Rockburn Park and Centennial Park.<\/p>\n
Andrew Li, entomologist, who’s with the Beltsville, Maryland ARS Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory wants the information so he can get a better understanding of how these mice respond to the bait boxes consisting of topical insecticides and other tick treatments. Li currently coordinates the Tick Management Project.<\/p>\n
According to Li, they require scientific basis for where they’ll place the bait boxes to gain a solid expectation that the white-footed mice will obtain enough acaricide that will kill the ticks. By understanding the mice\u2019s’ activity pattern and home range, they’ll be able to improve host-targeted tick control.<\/p>\n