A Summer Without Ticks?

It could be the sparse rainfall. Or it could be a result of New Canaan's Deer Committee. Whatever the reason, dog and cat owners around town aren't finding many ticks on their pets this season.

"I have not seen as many ticks this summer as others, but the summer is not over yet," said New Canaan Veterinary Hospital Manager Katy Joyce. 

Ticks are infamous carriers of Lyme disease and while they normally thrive in the damp days of spring and the leaf piles of autumn, they usually remain present throughout the summer.

However, according to statistics by the Connecticut Department of Health, incidents of Lyme disease in New Canaan have been declining the past two years. 2009 saw only 10 cases of Lyme disease in New Canaan—six less than in 2008—and below Fairfield County's average of 15.  

Joyce attributes the decline in ticks and related diseases to diligent pet owners.

"People in New Canaan are faithful with their Frontline," said Joyce, referring to the popular tick repellent for dogs and cats. "Tick control can be very effective if it's used regularly."

Dog owners who were gathered at Spencer's Run in Waveny Park on Thursday afternoon to give their pooches some playtime seemed to be in agreement that ticks had skipped town.

"I have not seen any ticks this summer, but I use Frontline every month," said Dan Clark, owner of a one-year-old Australian Cattle Dog.  

Even dog owners who don't use tick repellant are enjoying the seemingly tick-less summer.

"Summer can be a bad time for ticks, but I haven't seen any so far," said Rose, an owner of two Shih Tzus who asked she only be identified by her first name. "I don't use Frontline or anything like that, I just don't let my dogs near piles of leaves."

And while repellant can go a long way in keeping your animal tick-free, Joyce said some repellants can do more harm than good.

"Grocery store collars are useless," said Joyce. "They smell terrible and barely work. Stay away from them."