ONONDAGA CO., N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County is now recruiting 50 property owners to take part in a study involving mice, the dominant mammalian reservoir host for the Lyme disease bacterium.

Deer ticks contract the Lyme bacterium from mice and spread it to humans and pets through bites. The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are partnering with the Northeast Vector-Borne Disease Center at Cornell University in a multistate study trying to determine if mice can be immunized against Lyme disease by eating pellets treated with a vaccine. The pellets aim to vaccinate the mice against Lyme disease, thereby preventing ticks from spreading the bacterium.

Desired properties would be one to four acres with lawn adjacent to a wooded area. We can use smaller properties if adjacent neighbors will grant access. Ideally, there would be regular deer activity on the property (multiple times per week). Sites would be screened by CCE staff and potentially visited this fall to confirm tick activity.

The study would begin in spring 2024. The owners would need to agree to participate for multiple years (up to 5) and allow access to the property approximately 6 times a year (once each quarter to replenish mouse bait, and up to twice during the spring nymph season for tick drags- about 4 weeks in late April-May). We will remove all ticks captured on drags for disease testing.

The study may involve placement of small rodent bait stations on the property. Any equipment placed will be maintained by CCE Onondaga.

If you are interested in knowing more about the study and how you might participate, contact Harry Nugent at [email protected] or call 315.551.2068.

–Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga County