Have you seen our mannequins around? A new publication by Tela Zembsch and colleagues shares her method and findings on using human mannequins as a tick tool. Ixodes scapularis ticks were placed on mannequins and participants were asked to complete a survey and check the mannequin for ticks in a 5-minute period. Participants were more likely to spot adult females compared to larvae and nymphs. Ticks above the waist line were more likely to be detected then below.
“…The lack of relationship between the survey responses and the number of ticks detected highlights the discrepancy in the general public’s perceived and actual ability in conducting tick checks…. People may consider themselves knowledgeable but may not know the proper steps in conducting a tick check or may not possess a well-defined search image of an I. scapularis tick…”
Tick checks are a popular recommendation made by health professionals and researchers. While doing a tick check is better than nothing, it is not a perfect solution to ticks. Additional safety measures like showering and wearing repellents in conjunction with tick checks, might be more successful at reducing tick disease burdens.
Read the full article at: https://academic.oup.com/jme/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jme/tjaf053/8136423