Mice may drive Lyme disease more than deer

New research found that white-footed mice, rather than deer, are closely linked to increases in young blacklegged ticks, challenging assumptions about Lyme disease drivers. Researchers also determined that large acorn crops can set off a chain reaction, potentially leading to more ticks two years later. The study notes that mouse populations help predict the number of ticks, though not necessarily how many will carry Lyme bacteria.