Press Herald quotes Dill in article about decline in Lyme cases

The Portland Press Herald interviewed Griffin Dill, an integrated pest management professional with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for the article “Reported cases of Lyme disease show dramatic drop in Maine.” Lyme disease cases are projected to be the lowest in at least three years in Maine, which according to researchers is likely a result of the cumulative effect of arid summer conditions, the article states. Dry weather reduces mobility of deer ticks and consequently could reduce their populations by shortening their lifespan and affecting reproductive capability, according to Dill. “They dry out very easily. They need to have moisture to survive when out questing for a host,” said Dill. “When it’s dry, they have to keep returning to moist areas, such as burrowing under leaves. The dry weather hampers their activity and could impact their survivability.” The Times Record and Sun Journal carried the Press Herald article.