Ticks and tick-borne diseases are of increasing concern across the United States, particularly in the Northeast. Ixodes scapularis Say (Ixodida: Ixodidae) remains the primary vector for the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, and Brenner). Prior studies established that I. scapularis can be found in greatest abundance in the 1-m forested ecotone surrounding the lawn edge in residential backyards. Our study was conducted on 42 properties in Guilford, CT, and sought to expand upon this premise by determining which key habitat features were associated with increased densities of host-seeking I. scapularis nymphs. We quantified nymphal abundances in 19 different habitat types that were posited to influence densities. We determined that nymphal I. scapularis densities were greatest in forested areas closest to lawn edges with leaf litter or understory vegetation present, as well as short lawns adjacent to woodland edges. Additionally, we determined that there were no significant declines in nymphal I. scapularis density where leaf litter was removed, lawns were left unmowed, or woodchip barriers were installed. Bird feeders and woodpiles were not associated with increased nymphal I. scapularis densities. However, areas adjacent to stone walls did have nearly 3 times the density of I. scapularis nymphs present compared with habitats without stone walls. The culmination of the results from this study can be utilized to create more targeted acaricide applications rather than broadcast spraying, as well as increase homeowner awareness for areas with heightened risk for exposure to nymphal I. scapularis, which are deemed the most epidemiologically important species and stage for pathogen transfer to humans.

中文翻译：

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对美国康涅狄格州住宅区的景观美化和植被管理进行评估，以抑制寻找宿主的肩突硬蜱（硬蜱：硬蜱科）若虫

蜱虫和蜱传疾病在美国越来越受到关注，特别是在东北部。肩胛硬蜱（Ixodida：硬蜱科）仍然是莱姆病螺旋体伯氏疏螺旋体（Johnson、Schmid、Hyde、Steigerwalt 和 Brenner）的主要传播媒介。先前的研究表明，肩胛 I. scapularis 在住宅后院草坪边缘周围 1 米的森林交错带中含量最多。我们的研究是在康涅狄格州吉尔福德的 42 处房产上进行的，并试图通过确定哪些关键栖息地特征与寻求寄主的肩胛 I. scapularis 若虫密度增加相关来扩展这一前提。我们量化了 19 种不同栖息地类型中的若虫丰度，这些栖息地类型被认为会影响密度。我们确定，若虫 I. scapularis 密度在最接近草坪边缘（有落叶层或林下植被）的森林地区以及邻近林地边缘的短草坪中密度最大。此外，我们确定，在清除落叶、不修剪草坪或安装木片屏障的情况下，肩胛若虫密度没有显着下降。喂鸟器和柴堆与肩胛若虫密度的增加无关。然而，与没有石墙的栖息地相比，靠近石墙的区域的肩胛若虫密度确实高出近三倍。这项研究的最终结果可用于创造更有针对性的杀螨剂应用，而不是撒播喷洒，并提高房主对接触肩胛若虫的风险较高的地区的认识，肩胛若虫被认为是流行病学上最重要的物种，病原体转移到人类的阶段。