Prudence Island supports dense populations of three kinds of human biting ticks: deer ticks, Lone Star ticks, and dog ticks.
Tick Common Sense
Due to the high tick density in the Reserve (and throughout Rhode Island) please observe the following guidelines:
Avoid tall grass, weeds, or shrubby areas. Keep to well-worn trails and roads.
Wear long pants and tuck pants into socks. Keep shirt tucked in also. Wear hats, and tight-weave socks.
Wear light-colored clothing so that finding dark-colored ticks is easier.
Repellent will help, but follow instructions of product exactly.
Check yourself and your children daily. Do periodic tick checks if outside for a long time. Check entire body and clothing.
Pets will also pick up ticks, be sure to check your pets for ticks frequently.
The current density of ticks on Prudence means the island bears the burden of tick-borne pathogens. Below is a brief description of the tick species found on Prudence and the diseases they can carry. For more information on all aspects of tick-bourne disease, including prevention, please refer to the web resources listed below.
The Tick Encounter Resource Center at URI has created a website filled with information about ticks and tick-bourne diseases in Rhode Island. This is a wonderful resource and touches on topics from how ticks transmit disease, to tick identification, and from seasonal patterns of Lyme Disease, to disease prevention methods.
Dr. Kenny Raposa, the Reserve's Research Coordinator, has written a paper discussing tick and deer population connections. Click here to download his paper. (Coming Soon)
PO Box 151 - Prudence Island, RI - 02872 - Phone: 401-683-6780 - Fax: 401-683-7366
