By removing all predators decades ago (bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, fishers, etc.) we changed the natural balance of the Island to favor deer and small mammals like rabbits and mice, which threaten various plant species from overgrazing. Without top down (predator) controls, the populations grow until parasites and disease take a greater toll and the ticks find us as suitable hosts, along with associated diseases like Lyme and tularemia.

I doubt residents want to accept reintroduction of predators to bring down the deer herd from 50 to a low of 5 to 8 per square mile, but recreational hunting on this Island is not up to the task.

The reasons are many. Not enough hunters, hunters tend to kill bucks not does, too many houses with a 500-feet restrictions, and many areas of thick brush (brambles, poison ivy) such that hunting is no longer effective and becomes less effective as the population of deer goes down toward your target density.

I try to adapt by mowing the lawn very short where mice can’t hide and drop ticks, I hunt does, and I wear permethrin-treated clothing (Insect Shield brand) which I respray after each wash, and our dogs and cats wear Seresto collars. I test the treated clothes by placing ticks on the lower pant legs and see if they fall off in 15 seconds or before they reach your waist. I drag a white towel on the lawn to test for tick presence.

Going forward, you could try deer exclusion fencing around neighborhoods with cattle guards on driveways, deer bait pellets laced with isoxazolines to kill ticks, relax hunting regulations and put a bounty on adult does.

In summary, this is our mess and we have to adapt just like the animals do.

Mark Mattson

Aquinnah