Hunting Can Help Dover Control Lyme Disease

The Dover town website posted an announcement about expanding the deer management program (DMP) to include more privately-owned land. Residents interested in allowing hunters onto their property can print and fill out forms from the Dover Lyme disease website.

For those who want to hunt, the Hunting Application is also available on the website. 

A higher deer population means a higher risk of finding deer ticks, which carry lyme disease. The town implemented a deer management program about three years ago to combat lyme disease. Despite efforts to curb the deer population, there are still too many deer within Dover's borders, according to the site.

Dover officials seem to be taking tips from a Connecticut pamphlet on deer control in urban areas. 

The Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) offered a series of tips on avoiding tick bites. They recommend a tick check every time you are outside, including inside and behind the ears, the back of your and between your toes. Because ticks are tiny, keep an eye out for what looks like new "freckles."

Bug sprays containing DEET can also help keep you tick-free. Talk to a vet about keeping your pets and livestock free. 

More tips on the EOHHS website.