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Testing homes and yards for Lyme

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Lyme Disease
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Posted 12/30/2008 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
Since my brother Jasrich and I are pretty sure we got our Lyme from fleas from mice at our cabin, we need to know if there is a way to test the cabin or mice or yard to see if it is a Lyme area. We are starting to wonder if our other family members who were exposed when we were may not also be sick. There has to be a way to identify if it is a Lyme bearing area. We have been going up there our whole lives and have both been very ill for 5 years since we got bitten up. Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Northlover (and bro) smhair smhair
Posted 12/30/2008 11:57 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Northlover,

There is an easy way to test for ticks -- drag a white sheet across an area where you think there may be ticks.  But, make sure that you spray your shoes, socks and clothing with Permethrin before you go out. 

From everything that I have read, mice are a ticks favorite meal, so while it may be possible to get Lyme from fleas, if you have mice, it is probably more likely that it was from a tick bite.

We now have our yard sprayed for ticks every month from April to October and have not seen any ticks since we started spraying. 

I hope that you and your brother are soon feeling better.

Take Care,

Dan's Mother

Posted 12/30/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Northlover,

If it were me, I would try to identify the mice first since they are the host of most lyme bacteria's.  Ticks, fleas, and whatever feed on these mice thus infected them.

This is an interesting site describing the White Footed Mouse and how to get rid of them:

http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/white_footed_mouse.htm

Denise

Posted 12/31/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the feedback. I am sure we got it from the mice. What I need to know is is there a way to test the mice even though we got infected 5 years ago. Would they still be carrying it?
How can I find out?
Northlover
Posted 12/31/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Northlover,

If the mice you have look like the White Footed Mouse (there are plenty of photographs and descriptions on the internet), I would call or e-mail IgeneX and ask them if they could test one or if they know a lab that does (after you catch one and make sure it's dead).  If you decide to go that route, please don't touch the mouse.   Wear gloves, protect yourself. 

I would really look into methods of exterminating those mice since they are the real culprit.

Hope this helps,

Denise

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