One in five garden ticks carries lyme disease bacteria, study finds

One in five ticks found in Flemish gardens carries the bacterium that can cause Lyme disease, according to new research by the University of Antwerp.

The findings come from the citizen science project Teek a Break, which surveyed 185 gardens, mostly outside urban areas. Ticks were found in 44 per cent of gardens. 19.6 per cent carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.

“Just like after a forest walk, it’s wise to check for ticks after spending time in the garden”, said researcher Käthe Robert. Ticks were most often found in leaf litter and wild vegetation, rather than in grass.

Of 484 ticks tested, 34 per cent carried at least one pathogen. The infection rate was similar to ticks found in forests. Gardens with more natural hosts like birds had higher infection rates, while those with dogs had fewer. However, researchers caution against drastic garden changes, like excessive mowing or paving.

^{A person observes a tick in the microscope in the laboratory of the INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) in Champenoux JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN / AFP}