the humble Guinea Fowl & lime disease...

could the guinea fowl be the best protection against lime disease?

The last couple of times I visited the States, I was fortunate enough to visit Willow, New York. Willow is a small town not too far from Woodstock, New York.  It's a gorgeous Upstate town, with rivers and mountain views and no shortage of wildlife. Bears apparently, are not uncommon here.
Lime disease seems to also be quite common in these parts as well. It seems that every other person I bumped into would eventually break down and tell you either a story of their lime infection, or someone close to them, in their family.  Lime disease doesn't sound fun - and if you live anywhere near the woods and deers, chances are there are deer ticks, and if you have deer ticks, well - if you get bit by an infected lice then you can get lime disease.
Does that mean that being out in nature is absolutely out of the question? Well, interestingly enough the person I was visiting has some guinea hens.  These birds are beautiful - they mate for life and the feathers - black with white dots- are magnificent.  Their owner lovingly tends to them despite the complaints from her neighbors. Why?
These birds eat deer ticks. Years ago, when it was learned that guinea hens do this, the owner did not hesitate to get these hens. And today, knock on wood, unlike so many of her neighbors, she is lime-free.

Right on to those who balance nature with nature.

farvel,
the lab