Researchers spent 3 years creating a detailed map to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease continues to be a concern in New Jersey. An extensive study was done by The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene that identified regions in the US and the associated level of risk. New Jersey continues to rank as "high risk." If you're in an area where there is a high risk, take precautions.

For effective NJ tick control and reducing the risk of your family or pets suffering tick bites, homeowners need to implement two related strategies.  Both are necessary; one without the other isn’t enough.  

1. The first strategy is outdoor habitat modification.  You want to make your lawn and landscaping to be unattractive to ticks.  This includes discouraging potential tick-carrying rodents and other hosts from entering your property as well as creating an environment unsuitable for tick survival for those who manage to sneak in.  Regularly mow the lawn, trim back overhanging shrubs, limit birdfeeders to winter months, and remove leaf litter, plant debris, and other potential tick harborages.  

2. The second strategy is the prudent use of low environmental impact tick treatments. In residential areas where ticks are abundant, treatments are necessary to reduce tick populations.  Tick treatments are quite effective when used selectively and intelligently.  You want to specifically time and target treatments to those areas where ticks breed and quest rather than attempting some haphazard application and hoping for the best.  A professional pest control firm will help homeowners significantly reduce the tick population around their property. Especially for those with children and pets, tick reduction and control becomes an important health and safety issue.

Tips to reduce your risk of ticks.
• Keep grass and weeds well trimmed (less than 2”)
• Avoid walking along grass lines and forest lines
• Avoid walking in forested areas and meadows
• Avoid walking your dog in known tick infested areas
• Wear long pants, light colored clothing and pull socks overpant legs when in areas where ticks are likely to occur
• Inspect yourself for ticks when you return home from spending time in areas where ticks are likely to occur
• Tick repellents are available for use on your pet or your clothing when entering tick-infested areas

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Lyme Disease Human Risk Map, 2012. Credit American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Visit http:/cowleys.com for more information on ticks in NJ.