IOP 2020 Field Research Report

2020 Ixodes Outreach Project Report

Field Research Report 

In 2020 the Ixodes Outreach Project staff conducted two active field research projects in Carlton County, MN.  Our first was a typical tick drag, where our lab staff pull a weighted cloth through a predetermined area, called a transect, while walking a measured path.  Every 10 meters, the cloth is examined to see if any ticks have grabbed on.  Check out a short video of what a tick drag looks like:

 

We monitored the transect from April through October.  Over all we found 84 ticks and 18 of them were Ixodes scapularis, the tick that can transmit the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.  The bulk of those I. scapularis ticks were caught between late April and early June, with the peak being the 3rd week of May.

We also experimented with a new tick collecting method, a dry ice trap.  Ticks are believed to be able to sense carbon dioxide exhaled by potential prey.  The carbon dioxide gas released as dry ice melts is thought to be a way to attract ticks searching for a meal.  We tested two different styles of trap, and appeared to have relatively equal success.  Our trapping process was started later in the summer, so we missed peak tick season, but ticks are out until snow falls again.  And, indeed we did catch several ticks in September and October with our traps.  

Two different trap designs

Male Dermacentor variabilis tick caught on tape used to hold trap fabric in place

Next year we plan to experiment with other carbon dioxide releasing methods in hopes of developing an inexpensive trapping method that can be used more frequently and at multiple locations.  Stay tuned in 2021 to see how this project unfolds!

Post by C. Fisher