Tick Protection
Ticks, and the diseases they can spread, are an unfortunate reality on Fire Island as well as other wooded areas. In a recent article, the New York Times outlined steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of contracting a tick borne disease. The Center for Disease Control also has a helpful section devoted to ticks on their website. The OBPA has taken several steps to help our community protect themselves.
The OBPA Damminix Program
As a community service, each season the Association collects a voluntary fee (see here for current pricing) and arranges with PestPro, a local pest control company, for the bulk purchase and treatment with Damminix for the properties of members who elect to participate. According to the manufacturer, Damminix Tick Tubes® are biodegradable, cardboard tubes filled with permethrin treated cotton balls. Mice collect the cotton to build their nests. Deer ticks that feed on mice in the Spring and the Fall are exposed to permethrin and killed. All the while, the mice, other mammals and lands are unharmed and undisturbed.
The fee is payable with your Association Membership by selecting the service on your Membership Form. Damminix payments must be received by May 15. The Association simply passes through the expense, this is not a fund raising activity. Please visit www.ticktubes.com for more information on Damminix.
Spraying for ticks
The Association has also arranged with PestPro (they have an office in Ocean Beach) for a group discount for tick spraying, which can help control tick populations on your property that are not being carried by mice. PestPro's tick spraying program is normally $195 per treatment, but they have agreed to reduce the cost to $125/treatment when three or more applications are made in one season at the same property. More information here.
Ticks, and the diseases they can spread, are an unfortunate reality on Fire Island as well as other wooded areas. In a recent article, the New York Times outlined steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of contracting a tick borne disease. The Center for Disease Control also has a helpful section devoted to ticks on their website. The OBPA has taken several steps to help our community protect themselves.
The OBPA Damminix Program
As a community service, each season the Association collects a voluntary fee (see here for current pricing) and arranges with PestPro, a local pest control company, for the bulk purchase and treatment with Damminix for the properties of members who elect to participate. According to the manufacturer, Damminix Tick Tubes® are biodegradable, cardboard tubes filled with permethrin treated cotton balls. Mice collect the cotton to build their nests. Deer ticks that feed on mice in the Spring and the Fall are exposed to permethrin and killed. All the while, the mice, other mammals and lands are unharmed and undisturbed.
The fee is payable with your Association Membership by selecting the service on your Membership Form. Damminix payments must be received by May 15. The Association simply passes through the expense, this is not a fund raising activity. Please visit www.ticktubes.com for more information on Damminix.
Spraying for ticks
The Association has also arranged with PestPro (they have an office in Ocean Beach) for a group discount for tick spraying, which can help control tick populations on your property that are not being carried by mice. PestPro's tick spraying program is normally $195 per treatment, but they have agreed to reduce the cost to $125/treatment when three or more applications are made in one season at the same property. More information here.