Ticks and Rising Concerns in Martha’s Vineyard
In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Virginia Barbatti relocated with her family to Martha’s Vineyard, where they began living full-time. The island, known for its beautiful beaches, has served as a summer getaway for numerous U.S. presidents, from Ulysses S. Grant to Barack Obama.
Initially, the sight of deer grazing in her yard during evening hours thrilled Barbatti. “It felt like a wonderful connection with nature,” she recalls. However, as time passed, her enthusiasm faded. The realization that each deer could host thousands of ticks changed her perspective significantly. Now, she’s the director of a nonprofit organization launched in December 2025 called Tick Free Martha’s Vineyard.
Unfortunately, ticks—tiny arachnids that reside in grassy and wooded areas—are a significant issue on the island. They latch onto animals and then can potentially bite humans, bringing with them the risk of dangerous allergies, particularly to red meat, or diseases like Lyme disease.
As summer rolls in, particularly in May and June, tick activity is on the rise. “Our Tick Bite Tracker indicates that ticks are prevalent everywhere,” notes Alison Hinckley, an epidemiologist from the CDC. She’s observed a considerable increase in tick-related incidents, especially in areas historically prone to Lyme disease. Almost all reported Lyme disease cases are from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest regions.
This tick season could end up being one of the worst in recent years, marking a crucial time for awareness and prevention against tick bites.
Deer Population Impact
The spike in tick-related issues correlates with a resurgence of white-tailed deer in the Northeast. A century ago, this deer population faced near extinction, but its recovery is now prompting concerns. Lea Hamner, an epidemiologist focused on tickborne diseases, emphasizes that while the deer comeback seemed like a conservation success, it has surpassed nature’s balance significantly.
Hamner is involved with the Martha’s Vineyard Tick Program, managing an average deer density of over 50 per square mile—well above the recommended levels. This excess not only threatens local vegetation through over foraging but also contributes to rising tick populations. “Ticks often find their mates while on deer, which we jokingly refer to as their ‘party bus,'” Hamner describes.
Traditionally, it was deer ticks that posed the biggest threat; however, the introduction of the lone star tick from the Southeast in 2011 has compounded the issue. This newer species not only bites more aggressively but can also lead to a “tick bomb” scenario, where many tiny ticks attach simultaneously. Moreover, they are known to cause alpha-gal syndrome—a life-threatening allergy to red meat and certain dairy products due to a sugar found in their saliva.
Culinary professionals on Martha’s Vineyard are adapting to these changes, attempting to create menus suitable for anyone affected by this syndrome. Yet there’s a struggle: many are seeking more reliable resources than just online research to protect their patrons from potential allergic reactions.
At present, science still lags in providing thorough solutions for tick prevention. Although there are initiatives like alpha-gal reporting in Massachusetts, which recently made it the 14th state to mandate such tracking, comprehensive measures are urgently needed.
Tick Control Efforts
In the past decades, attempts to manage tick populations have ranged from yard sprays to innovative treatments for small mammals, but significant success remains elusive. Stephen Rich, executive director at UMass Amherst, explains that their experiments with various techniques have yielded little more than temporary relief.
In Staten Island, a more hands-on approach has been taken to manage the deer population. Through sterilization, researchers aim to control growth rates. The program seems to be maintaining stability, though substantial shifts will take time.
Recently, U.S. officials have dedicated new federal funds towards preventing and tackling tickborne diseases, a welcome development for researchers. Yet, the need for more effective control measures and a thorough understanding of ticks remains crucial in combatting this increasing health threat.
