New Jersey is known as a high-risk area for diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, such as Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and potentially the Zika virus. Fortunately, we can help you combat these pests with our tick and mosquito control services. Our products are safe for children and pets while remaining effective.
New Jersey has a tick problem.
The state has recorded 1,095 tick-related emergency room visits this year, according to Department of Health data. It is on pace to see the most tick-related ER visits in at least four years after just 1,312 were reported in all of 2022.
"Tick-borne diseases, yes, they're increasing," said Alvaro Toledo, a tick expert and assistant professor at Rutgers University.
On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., announced a proposed federal tick identification pilot program — the bipartisan Tick Identification Pilot Program Act — which would allow residents to send in photos of ticks whenever they encounter one.
"This program will allow individuals to electronically report tick incidents and receive feedback within 72 hours from experts as to the appropriate follow-up action," he said. "The program works by taking a picture of the tick, noting the location and date where it was encountered, and submitting it to a database to track encounters and best practices."
Gottheimer announced the bill at a news conference in Mahwah, saying New Jersey has a burgeoning problem. The timing wasn't lost on him: Half of all Lyme disease cases in the state occur in June and July, he said.
"Lyme numbers are up. The ticks are up," Gottheimer warned. "According to data from 2020, the incidence rate of Lyme in New Jersey was more than five times the U.S. average, and New Jersey had the fifth highest Lyme disease case rates in the country."
Although neither the state nor Rutgers University conducts a tick census, Toledo suspects more of the parasites now call New Jersey home. The proliferation of deer and other wildlife has provided ample hosts. And climate change has allowed more tick species, such as the lone star tick, to invade the Garden State.
"One can assume that if tick-borne diseases are increasing, it's because more people are being bitten, and there are more ticks out there," Toledo said.
But he noted there's also more awareness about tick-borne illnesses.
Gottheimer also proposed a new postage stamp Wednesday that would fund additional research for Lyme and other tick-borne disease treatments. The Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act would supplement tick-related funding for the National Institutes of Health.
"That means when you're out mailing a birthday card or sending a letter to your grandmother, you can help fund the research we need to finally find better treatments for the disease," Gottheimer said.
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