Understanding the Link Between Wildlife and Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. While ticks themselves are the direct carriers, they rely on wildlife hosts—especially deer and small rodents—to complete their life cycle and move from one area to another. When these animals spend time on or near your property, they bring ticks with them, increasing the chance that ticks will drop off and find new hosts, including people and pets.
Rodents: The Hidden Drivers of Tick-Borne Illness
While deer often get the blame for spreading ticks, rodents such as mice, chipmunks, and squirrels are actually more important in the early stages of the tick’s life. Immature ticks, called nymphs and larvae, often feed on rodents, which are more likely to carry Lyme-causing bacteria. When young ticks feed on infected rodents, they become infected themselves—and when those ticks grow into adults, they can spread Lyme disease to larger hosts, including humans.
Rodents often live very close to or even inside homes, nesting in sheds, crawlspaces, garages, and attics. Their presence on your property significantly increases the risk of tick exposure, especially for pets or children who spend time outside.
Deer: The Highways for Tick Expansion
Deer play a different but equally critical role in the spread of Lyme disease. Adult ticks often attach to deer, using them as a mobile food source and transportation system. A single deer can carry hundreds of ticks and bring them into residential yards, especially in wooded or suburban areas. Deer can also trample through gardens, bedding areas, and landscaping, dropping ticks into areas where people live, play, and walk pets.
If you frequently see deer in your yard—especially during dusk or early morning—it’s a clear sign that your property may be at risk for tick infestation.
The Growing Threat of Lyme Disease in Residential Areas
As development continues to expand into wooded and rural areas, human and wildlife habitats increasingly overlap. This means more ticks, more hosts, and greater exposure to tick-borne diseases like Lyme. In recent years, the number of reported Lyme disease cases has risen sharply in many parts of the country, and it’s no longer limited to remote or forested regions.
Symptoms of Lyme disease can include fatigue, fever, joint pain, and a characteristic bullseye rash. If not caught early, the disease can lead to serious complications, including neurological and heart issues. Preventing tick bites is the best defense—and that starts with reducing wildlife activity near your home.
How Wildlife X Team Can Help
At Wildlife X Team, we understand the critical connection between wildlife and public health. Our licensed technicians are trained to identify the signs of wildlife activity, remove animals humanely, and secure your property against future intrusions. If rodents or deer are contributing to tick problems around your home, we’ll assess entry points, install deterrents, and recommend habitat modifications to keep them out.
For rodent problems, we offer humane removal and exclusion services to prevent nesting in walls, attics, or sheds. For deer, we can advise on fencing, repellents, and landscape changes that reduce the appeal of your yard. By addressing the source of the tick problem—wildlife hosts—we help lower your family’s exposure to Lyme disease.
Tips for Reducing Tick Exposure on Your Property
In addition to wildlife control, here are some proactive steps homeowners can take to reduce ticks:
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Keep grass trimmed and clear away brush or leaf litter where ticks thrive
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Create a barrier between wooded areas and lawns using mulch or gravel
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Store firewood away from your home to discourage rodent nesting
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Remove bird feeders, which attract rodents and deer
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Inspect pets regularly and use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products
Protect Your Family from Tick-Borne Threats
Lyme disease isn’t just a problem in the woods—it can start in your own backyard. If you’re seeing signs of deer or rodent activity on your property, now is the time to act. Contact Wildlife X Team for a thorough inspection and long-term wildlife control solutions. Together, we’ll reduce the risk of tick exposure and create a safer outdoor environment for your family and pets.