How can ticks be captured? - briefly
Ticks are collected by dragging a white cloth or fleece across vegetation, by employing CO₂‑baited traps, and by using a vacuum device on hosts or surfaces. Additional techniques include flagging vegetation and deploying tick tubes containing permethrin‑treated cotton.
How can ticks be captured? - in detail
Collecting ticks requires systematic approaches to obtain representative specimens while minimizing habitat disturbance. Effective acquisition supports epidemiological monitoring, ecological studies, and pathogen detection.
Field techniques include:
- «Flagging» – dragging a white cloth over low vegetation; ticks attach to the fabric and are removed by inspection.
- «Dragging» – pulling a larger fabric strip across ground and leaf litter; suitable for questing stages of Ixodes and Dermacentor species.
- CO₂‑baited traps – releasing carbon dioxide from dry ice or compressed gas; creates a heat plume that attracts host‑seeking ticks, which are captured on sticky surfaces or in funnel devices.
- Host examination – manually inspecting domestic animals, wildlife, or humans; ticks are removed with fine forceps and placed in labeled vials.
- Vegetation sampling – cutting grasses or mosses, placing material in sealed bags, and incubating to allow ticks to emerge.
- Pitfall traps – embedding a cup flush with soil surface, partially filled with preservative; wandering ticks fall in and are retrieved after a set period.
Laboratory handling methods:
- Aspirators – gentle suction devices isolate attached ticks from hosts without damage.
- Freezing – brief exposure to −20 °C immobilizes ticks for safe removal from substrates.
- Microscopic sorting – using stereomicroscopes to separate ticks from collected debris.
Safety measures:
- Wear disposable gloves and protective clothing to prevent pathogen transmission.
- Use tick‑specific repellents on exposed skin.
- Decontaminate tools and containers with 70 % ethanol after each use.
- Store specimens in airtight vials containing 70 % ethanol or RNAlater for molecular analyses.
Accurate labeling of collection date, location, habitat type, and method ensures data integrity for downstream research.