Bird Feeders & Lyme Disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Lyme disease ranks as the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. Although the disease is not usually fatal, misdiagnosis or improper treatment can result in chronic health problems for infected individuals. Disease prevention is the only guarantee against such complications and every effort should be made to reduce the likelihood of infection. Birds and the feeders they use are often an overlooked contributor to Lyme disease transmission.
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Cause and Transmission
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Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacteria named after its discoverer, entomologist Willy Burgdorfer. The most common vector (disease-transmitting organism) of Lyme disease is the black-legged tick, more commonly known as the deer tick. Deer tick feeding is not limited to deer. They also feed on the blood of squirrels, mice and other small animals. The tick feeds on infected animals and transmits the disease to humans via a tick bite. Researchers from the Yale School of Public Health have determined that 70 species of North American birds also serve as hosts for the black-legged tick.
Geographic Range
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Originally, the occurrence of Lyme disease was limited to a specific geographic range including the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic and North Central areas of the United States. The range has extended, however, and the infection has been reported in all states except Hawaii. According to the CDC, one of the most likely causes of deer tick introduction to previously non-infested areas is bird migration. Consequently, individuals who live in areas once thought to be outside the tick's range are no longer safe from infection.
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Bird Feeders
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According to a Northeast Naturalist published study that assessed the spatial distribution of host-seeking ticks on a residential lawn, significantly more ticks were collected from under bird feeders than from control areas. The presence of bird feeders on your property may increase your risk of contracting Lyme disease in two ways. First, the birds themselves may be harboring ticks that are carrying B. burgdorferi. Second, the seed used to feed the birds also attracts mice, chipmunks, squirrels and other small animals that may be carrying the disease.
Reducing Risk
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To reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease, place bird feeders away from the house and in areas of the yard that are not frequented by people. Black-legged ticks do not fly or jump. They are acquired by brushing up against bushes or tall grasses that shelter them as they wait for their next host. Keep the ground below feeders clean of feed to deter Lyme-infected small animals from visiting your yard. Some experts recommend feeders not be used at all during late spring and summer when Lyme disease transmission is most likely.
Additional Tips
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The bird feeder is not the only area of the yard conducive to the transmission of Lyme disease. Ticks and their hosts need a place to hide that is moist and sheltered from direct sun. Wood piles, rock walls, leaf piles and tall grasses make excellent habitats for ticks and the animals on which they feed. In general, the risk of getting a tick bite is reduced by keeping the area around your house free of clutter.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bird feeder image by tomcat2170 from Fotolia.com
