Want to move out of woods- best options in northeast? Or anywhere.

Well, the Western States have the least reported cases, according to the online maps.

Tree's and brush and probably fields harbor the buggers the most. Missouri is full of that kind of landscape.

The thing is that I'm convinced ticks drop off of birds, or something drops something off, that between birds and infected people, it's spreading.


Gravel is no fun for kids. Keep brush down away from your property, don't let your grass get too high, keep leaves up....hot sunlight, I would think, is not a favorable condition for ticks. Shady cool areas are. Still, you could get Lyme from a fly or a flea, or even a random lost tick, while living on complete concrete.

It's hard to know by incidence levels if they really do have serious issues with Lyme or not - is it really not as high there, or is it just not being recognized and diagnosed as it should??? The latter is the case here in Arkansas. I know a lot of people that have had Lyme here!! And yet, the state refuses to recognize this fact, and so very few cases are reported here.

I would encourage you to look more for what you want in your new area, and go for that. Then, once there, take all the precautions you can, including preventive treatments for your kids, and you once you heal.

I'm moving to a cement cubicle

Ya know , I do this all the time too. Should we just move to Texas? or some where else? How will I ever enjoy the outdoors again?Where is there a less chance for infection? It goes on and on. It's fear of ticks plain and simple.
I live in Western Mass. too, beautiful woods and a hayfield right out our back door that just last year I was running around in with my Red Heeler. Oh well. But I don't know if I got it here or at work in the watershed or in Texas when I visited my son or when I just had to rake up all the leaves in front of our stone wall so it would look nice.

I hate to say it.. but I believe Lyme is now pretty much everywhere. We cant allow it to take everything in life away from us too .Especially for children they need to grow, play and learn and be confident , not fearful.
So where ever we are:

Take preventative measures to protect ourselves and families.
Always check for ticks after going outside.
Wear proper clothing. Treat clothing.Wear a hat. Tuck pants into socks.Tuck shirts in.
Keep grass mowed short and dry.
Check our pets for ticks/use a preventive for them.(Do not use fingers like I did to remove ticks from dog,Big mistake)No pets in bed. Working on this.
Hardscape around property if able. Maybe have a small grass area that you can naturally treat to prevent ticks.
Use the best gift...the knowledge of the herbs!! Buhner lists a preventive to take daily to prevent infection(1000mg Astragalus).

And even though I too feel like moving into a cement cubicle to stay safe, I cant and wont give up the forests the fields, the wild flowers that bring such joy, or the thrill of catching a glimpse of something wild. And no matter what, I wont give up the gentle breeze that touches my face letting me know springtime has arrived or fall has begun. Nope, Lyme isnt going to take that away from me.
So I guess We arn't moving quite yet.

https://www.earthanimal.com/p/earth-animal-organic-bug-spray/

This is the spray I use

Sorry everyone I got carried away.

Lightlife, I know how you feel. You are so justified in wanting to protect your family. I'm not sure where a safe place is to live. There would be a less chance of Lyme in the southwest but they have Lyme too. Urban areas are not immune from Lyme either(small rodents, birds, coyotes, etc.). I'm not sure about Alaska, I'd have to research. You're right, Ithaca is like here.
This website has maps of Lyme/parasites/disease in dogs but useful to see where high incidences are.
https://www.capcvet.org/about-capc/news-events/the-forecasts-are-in-2016-will-be-a-big-year-for-ticks-and-mosquitoes
I tried to see if they had 2017 forecast, couldnt locate. anyways this might help you see what areas have less cases of Lyme infested ticks. Hope you have a good night. Sincerely, Jo

If you believe the CDC statistics they indicate the highest incidence of reported cases of Lyme are in the NE according to this map:

/www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/maps.html

Of places in the states that I would like to live I can only think of two outside of California.

Sedona, Arizona is beautiful.

I've never heard of anyone who didnt like living in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I am with the HAZMAT suit to get to the car....except my husband once found a tick crawling across the steering wheel, so you are going to have to keep the hazmat suit on while driving....!

as a side note. The dog just tested negative for lyme, babesia, ehrlichia anaplasmosis. Go figure. We humans (husband, son, and I ) are not so lucky......we have everything! (the dog is going to tell us that we need to stay on the floor, while he sleeps in the bed!)