Fairfax County Deer Dyed Pink for Tick Study

Doe, a deer—a pink-dyed deer?

Anyone who's spotted a deer sporting pink lately can rest assured their eyes weren't playing tricks on them. The deer are part of a research project developed by Fairfax County to control tick infestations. 

The county recently installed 20 feeding stations—15 in Sully Woodlands, five in Clifton's —treated with a pesticide used to kill ticks. The deer rub against a roller as they feed, which leaves a pink streak on their bodies. The dye allows researchers to track the deer, which are the primary wildlife host for ticks, according to Vicky Monroe, Fairfax County Wildlife Biologist and head of the Deer Management Program.

"Deer are the public transit system for ticks," said Monroe. "They're coming in and dropping off hundreds of ticks in your backyard and playgrounds."

The purpose of the study is to determine if the pesticide will reduce transmission of ticks to humans, and to research the practicality of the feeding stations. 

Monroe picked pink dye because many colors can become camouflage when they fade. "I wanted something that couldn't be found in nature," she said.

Concern over tick-borne illnesses has increased in recent years, and more localities are looking for ways to combat ticks.

In Fairfax County, 283 cases of suspected lyme disease were reported in 2010; 82 more cases than in 2009, according to an email statement by Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe the true number of lyme cases may be three times higher than actually reported, according to The Wall Street Journal.  Experts warn this spring's unseasonably warm weather could mean earlier tick activity.

Monroe obtained a special permit from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to use the feeders, which are not legal for commercial use in Virginia. Other wild and domestic animals who get into the feeders are not being tracked. Monroe said the pesticide shouldn’t hurt them, either.

Funding for the project—about $380,000—came from Fairfax County's 2011 pest control fund, and includes two new technicians to help Monroe, and supplies for the feeders. There are game cameras under police surveillance near the feeders. The project is scheduled to run until 2015.