Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:07:27 -0400
From:
Subject: ticks and deer
I’ve been wondering about the problem deer are having regarding tick infestation. Our dogs and cats can be treated by us, with help from our veterinarians. But deer don’t have that luxury.
Recently I heard someone say that pine needles lying on the ground for a long time afford a place for bugs to nest and thrive. Perhaps ticks are one of those species that thrive in our pine stands and forests? This state has an inordinate amount of solely-pine forests. Meaning, pine plantations meant for wood harvesting. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is that from a tick at high altitudes where fir trees are about the only form of trees that can thrive?
In the natural wild forests at lower altitudes there are many many kinds of trees, bushes and other plants. Deciduous trees intermingle with pine. That means that dead leaves drop down among pine needles. Both probably have different forms of acidity or some other chemical with them..nature’s way of balancing things out. I wonder if that’s a factor that all of us here in NC need to take into account.
What’s more important – our health and animal health or plantations of pines?
I’d like to hear from our county agents and forestry experts who know more about the ins and outs of this?
- Maryphyllis