Minimal Changes in Shelter Island Tick Numbers: Committee Focusing on Education
A recent report on tick numbers in Shelter Island has showcased a positive trend towards improvement, with the Deer & Tick Committee highlighting the importance of education in managing the issue. Dragging for ticks at Mashomack has been a challenging task, as discussed at the recent July 3 meeting by committee members.
Tracking Lone Star Nymphs
Beau Payne, who oversees the hunting program on Shelter Island, shared data on Lone Star nymphs, the young ticks that commonly feed on deer. These ticks are monitored by waving a small cloth 'flag' through known areas of activity. With the ban on 4-poster units in 2020 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, concerns arose about a potential increase in tick numbers. These units, which applied tickicide on deer as they fed on corn, had been in use on Shelter Island for over two decades.
Positive Trends in Tick Numbers
The average tick count has shown a decrease from the previous year but remains consistent with the averages observed in 2021 and 2022. Notably, the figures are lower than those recorded in 2023. In comparison, the averages on flags revealed 136 nymphs in that year, while subsequent counts in 2024 indicated averages of 56 and 85. Similarly, 2021 reported an average of 82, followed by 74 in 2022.
Emphasis on Public Health
The committee's primary focus is on safeguarding public health, which includes monitoring prescriptions for treating tick-borne illnesses. Two key medications, Doxycycline for Lyme disease and Atovaquone for babesiosis, are under scrutiny. Records indicate an uptick in Doxycycline prescriptions from 2021 to 2023, although the numbers did not surpass the peak seen in 2020 when 754 prescriptions were filled at the Shelter Island Heights Pharmacy. In contrast, Atovaquone prescriptions peaked at 16 in 2019 but dropped to 10 in 2023.
Educational Initiatives
Over the past two years, efforts have intensified in the realm of public education, particularly through engaging students and families on preventive measures. Committee member Julia Weisenberg has spearheaded programs in collaboration with Mashomack Preserve personnel, conducting informative sessions in classrooms for students in grades 3 to 6. These sessions incorporate interactive games to convey crucial messages. Additionally, Ms. Weisenberg has been offering archery lessons on weekends during May, June, and July, with the aim of nurturing future hunters to assist in managing the Island's deer population.