The main areas of complaint against deer are:

- Deer increase the incidence of Lyme disease

- Deer are a danger to motorists

- Deer destroy personal property such as landscaping and
- gardens

- Deer are ruining the ecosystem for other species by depleting
- the forest understory of botanical growth

Here we will dispel the misconceptions and offer alternatives to the real probems.

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LYME DISEASE

Deer do not "carry" or "spread" Lyme disease nor do they increase the likelihood of your contracting it.  In fact, deer provide a buffer between the host (white-footed mouse) and humans by "collecting" the ticks on themselves.

According to John Rohm of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, "There is no direct correlation between deer density and prevalence of Lyme disease.  Reducing deer density by X will not = X% reduction in Lyme disease cases."

He also states that "Deer should not be blamed for the current Lyme disease situation.  Integrated pest management would be more effective than focusing solely on deer."

One effective alternative to killing deer to decrease Lyme disease is the
"4-Poster":

"4-Poster” Deer Feed Stations Provide Effective Tick Control

An environmentally friendly deer feeding station developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service can reduce tick populations by up to 77%, according to a new study.

Ticks can carry diseases that infect humans and animals alike.  In the northeastern U.S., the blacklegged tick is a known vector of Lyme disease.

Here’s how it works: a deer feeds from a plastic feeding station. The design of the device causes the deer to tilt its head toward the application rollers, ensuring that tickicide is transferred to its head, neck, and ears.

The patented feeders, called the "4-Poster" Deer Treatment Bait Station, use four paint rollers to apply tick killer to the deer as they feed on corn placed in the feeding tray.  Tick counts on Gibson Island, Md., showed that the treatment annually achieved at least 77 percent control of several tick species, compared to pretreatment years.

The 4 poster deer stations may be the best alternative to traditional outdoor treatments for ticks, which require the application of pesticides across large areas.

There are numerous 4-poster
tick control programs in use throughout the U.S, but Fairfax County continues with redundant “studies” instead of implementing the proven, effective 4-poster program to protect citizens and reduce tick numbers.

For more info:

American Lyme Disease Foundation - '4-Poster' Deer Treatment Bait Station

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