Swimmer's Itch
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Swimmer's Itch
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Responsibilities: The Swimmer's Itch Program, which is managed by the Water Quality Committee, is involved in monitoring, researching and controlling swimmers itch in the lake. Swimmer's Itch is an infliction generated by a parasite in the water which is part of cycle involving Merganser ducks, other water fowl, and snails. The parasite burrows into one's skin and generates a 'mosquito bite' type irritation which swells into a node on the skin. The Swimmer's Itch Program tracks where and when anyone contracts swimmer's itch. Please report any case of swimmer's itch at www.swimmersitch.org. Just click on 'Report a Case'. This site is used by the company, that the GLA uses to inoculate broods of mergansers and relocate them, to monitor and track progress and develop additional tactics. With your input the Glen Lake association will then be able to better control the factors associated with swimmer's itch and monitor programs to curtail/eliminate it. Merganser Duck Control Program The GLA has had various program over the years to control this problem, with much emphasis on ridding the lake of its Merganser duck population. Since the 2004 season we have contracted with a firm which, after receiving a merganser duckling brood report, traps the brood, inoculates them, and relocates them, normally to Lake Michigan, where the snail part of the cycle does not exist. Thus the cycle is broken. These pictures show a male and female Merganser, and a pair respectively. These ducks swim with a brood of 10-16 ducklings. They swim/scoot across the top of the water for 8-10 feet, stop, and sometimes dive for food.
This program is scheduled to last a minimum of three years. If you see a brood of Merganser ducklings in the lake, please call Rob Karner at 231-334-5831 or cell phone 231- 883-2776, who will report it to the contracted company. Click here to view the latest Swimmer's Itch Committee Report.
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