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Literature Review of Tick Traps

In order to trap our vector, the tick, two main methods will be executed in this
experiment. The first method is the flagging and dragging method. The second method includes
the dry ice baited tick trap. Due to habitat distribution, neither of these methods would be
completely effective on their own. Although, when implicated as one unit, both methods increase
effectiveness and success rate (Ginsberg and Ewing 1989). This is evident by the fact that not all
ticks respond to the CO2 traps used in the dry ice baits nor the corduroy flag utilized in the
dragging method (Ginsberg and Ewing 1988).

The flagging and dragging method is the other


effective method our team will be conducting that will be
carried out in two different steps. The first step includes
dragging a corduroy flag over ground level vegetation.
Then the second step includes dragging another corduroy
flag over and through tall vegetation (Dantas-Torres, Lia,
Capelli, and Otranto 2013). During this process, ticks be-
come trapped in the fibers of the highly durable flag as it
passes over a variety of vegetation including dense and
thorny shrubbery (Carroll and Schmidtmann 1992). This
method is effective since ticks not only respond to movement,
but the release of carbon dioxide, and body heat. Therefore, Fig. 1. A typical corduroy flag utilized in
the flagger attracts ticks by releasing carbon dioxide, the flagging and dragging method.
emitting body heat, and creating movement in the vegeta-
tion that causes ticks to quest for blood meal and be caught
by the flag. To aid in the success of this method, the dragging and flagging should be carried out
during spring and winter months, otherwise the ticks will not be in the best developmental stages
for capture (Dantas-Torres, Lia, Capelli, and Otranto 2013). Therefore, our investigative team
will carry out this trapping method on the church grounds that Abbey Clark cared for and on
Frank Hollisters land he tried to keep as wild as possible.

Fig. 2. and Fig. 3. After dragging the flag


through the infestation site, the ticks
become stuck to the flags fibers and are
easily removed.
The dry ice baited tick trap is an
effective method, not only because it
effectively attracts many tick species, but
because it does so without the disturbance
of human or animal populations as a direct
source of CO2. This is because carbon
dioxide is a kairomone and therefore a
allelochemical, which stimulates ticks to
go questing for blood meal when there is a
release of CO2 (Logan, Pickett and
Cameron 2013). Additionally, it is easy to
monitor with the use of a white cloth or
sticky tape to aid in the visible detection
Fig. 4. A typical Carbon Dioxide trap. (A) Dry ice of ticks. To ensure the success of this method,
box; (B) lid; (C) base platform; (D) platform roof; it must be set up in a conducive environment
(E) sticky tape; (F) diffusion apertures. All for tick populations, such as warm and moist
included measurements in cm. temperature. According to Nuttall, these
conditions favor metamorphoses of tick species
(Nuttall 1905). The best places to set up these traps would be in heavily wooded areas, forested
areas, or near rivers. Therefore, our investigative team would set these traps up on the hiking
trails Landon Shaw ran or along the lake that Doug Naylor frequented.

Fig 5. A carbon dioxide trap set up in a


heavily wooded tick-infested site. A white
material is utilized to allow for the easy
detection of ticks.

Our team believes that our unknown vector is specifically Amblyomma americanum, but
to be sure we must visit each of our patients residence to carry out one of the two methods
discussed above.
References

Dantas-Torres, F., R.P. Lia, G. Capelli, and D. Otranto. 2013. Efficiency of flagging and
dragging for tick collection. Exp. Appl. Acarol. 61:119-127.

Howard S. Ginsbrg and Curtis P.Ewing. 1988. Comparison of Flagging Walking, Trapping,
and Collecting from Host as sampling Methods for Northern Deer Ticks, Ixodes dammini, and
Lone Star Ticks, Amblyomma americanum. Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amesterdam
pp.313-320.

Ginsberg, H.S. and Ewing, C.P., 1989. Comparison of flagging, walking, trapping, and
collecting from hosts as sampling methods for northern deer ticks, Ixodes dammini, and lone-star
ticks, Amblyomma americanum (Acari:Ixodidae). Exp. Appl. Acaro. 7:313-322.

James G. Logan John A.Pickett, Mary M. Cameron. 2013. Vector Control Using
Semiochemicals. Biological and Environmental control of Disease Vector. London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London UK .pp 95, 97.

Nuttall, George H. F. 1905. Ticks and tick-transmitted diseases. Transactions of the


Epidemiological Society of London 24: pp. 1226.

Materials and Methods

Method 1: Flagging and Dragging


Materials for Method 1:
Corduroy flag
Collection containers (could be glass, plastic, metal, etc.)

How to carry out method:


Sweep the entire area with the corduroy flag while wearing protective gear against insect
bites

Places to carry out method:


Around the Missouri Valley Church in Fremont County, Wyoming.
Around Frank Hollisters homestead in Chaffee County, Colorado (38.433891, -106.071949)
Around the popular hiking trails Hope Graham shut down in the month of July in Sproul
State Forest, Pennsylvania, 17764.
Around the local watersheds and wildlife preserves Doug Naylor visited in LA, CA.
The bike trail Cheryl Green rode from her home to the Iowa Western Community College.
The grounds outside the Iowa Western Community College.
The pathway Crystal Emerson and her friends traveled from Crystals home to school
everyday in Camden, AR.
Method 2: Dry ice baited tick trap
Materials for Method 2:
2-3 pounds of dry ice
White dry ice container(64cm x 244cm x 91 cm) with a lid and 20 cm. diameter diffusion
apertures
Sticky tape

How to carry out method:


Place each dry ice containers every 100 feet apart from each other on all sides.

Places to carry out method:


Along the 3 mile trail from the beginning of waterfront in Multinomah County in Portland,
Oregon where Deanna Cole was found.
In the backyard where Mara Woods played. (6920 43rd Loop SE Olympia, WA 98503)
Along the neighborhood pathway that Mrs. Woods and her daughter walked everyday. (43rd
Loop SE Olympia, WA 98503)
The market where Frank Hollister sold his cured wild game and skins in Denver, Colorado.
The trails where Landon Shaw and his tennis players trained found at the Burnaby Lake
Sport Complex in Burnaby, British Columbia V56, Canada.
Around Doug Naylors back porch at 11948 Pine Beach Dr. Brainerd, MN 56401.
In Big Bend National Park, TX where Grace Clements camped.
Around the shelter Crystal Emerson build for wild rabbits in her backyard. (2601 Paul Ave
SW, Camden, AR 71701)

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