JCVCD kicked off it’s 2023 tick collections last week! We collect Western blacklegged ticks (Ixodes pacificus) from locations throughout Jackson County for disease testing. Western blacklegged ticks are capable of transmitting several diseases to humans, including Lyme disease. Field collections take place primarily in early spring and autumn when this species is most active.
Ticks are collected using a technique called “flagging”, where a piece of white fabric attached to a dowel is pulled across vegetation along roads and hiking trails. Ticks seeking a host latch onto the fabric just as they would attach to someone’s pants as they walked by! As spring approaches, be sure to take precautions against ticks. Use an EPA approved repellent and always check your clothing, pets, and gear after being outdoors. For more information on tick prevention, visit CDC Tick Prevention.
