Based on his findings last summer, Reimink concluded there was a new contributor, tiny SI-causing worms that used Helisoma snails and Canada geese as their hosts. The SI life cycle in northern Michigan previously had been linked only to Common Mergansers and the T. Also, Reimink found that a new snail species was contributing to SI. Blankenspoor successfully removed four broods from Elk Lake last summer and said the benefits of his work would be apparent this summer or nest year.įreshwater Solutions concluded that its assessment of the three lakes in northern Michigan definitely showed that migrating ducks, previously though to be inconsequential, were part of the problem. Two lakes, Higgins and Crystal, had reported significant success reducing the SI with this method. In 2019, we also contacted with Curt Blankenspoor of Swimmer’s Itch Solutions (SIS) to trap and relocate Common Merganser broods. In 2018, data gathering was required to apply for a permit from the State to trap and relocate Common Mergansers. Reimink’s expertise and experience working with the lake associations to combat SI and out interest in establishing a database to better understand the problem and potential solutions drove the board’s decision. In 20, ESLA hired Ron Reimink, found and owner of Freshwater Solutions, LLC (FWS) to collect data as complaints from our riparians were increasing.
AS we have learned from Covid-19, simple solutions are elusive.Ĭonsider the unknowns: Why do some people get SI, while others do not? Why do some lake shave success reducing the infections by removing Common Mergansers, while others do not? Why does Elk lake have the highest level of cercariae (the ‘worms’ that cause the SI rash) of any lake in northern Michigan, but has relatively few common mergansers, a critical link in the SI life cycle? Swimmer’s Itch, and the dilemma ESLA’s board has faced amid growing SI concerns form our members has been an enormous challenge.
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