“I know it's not fashionable, but it actually does prevent tick bugs,” admitted Nicholas Ogden.
He stuffed his pants into his socks and sprayed the repellent on both.
Scientists are preparing to test a portion of Mont-Saint Bruno in the southern hills of Quebec to obtain tick bugs without catching the disease they carry. Today, he pays special attention to the black-legged tick-nosed nymph. At this stage, they are as big as poppy seeds, and they are the most likely suspects carrying bacteria and parasites, causing diseases such as Lyme disease, tumor disease or babworm disease.
As shown here, the black-legged tick nymph is about the size of a poppy seed. People in Canada are most likely to suffer from Lyme disease after being bitten. (Dave St-Amant/CBC News)
As the temperature rises, tickworms have been rooted in places they have never seen before. Ogden, a senior scientist at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), believes that this will only get worse.
“The research we've done shows that it still has a way out,” Ogden said.
“It shows that climate change is having an impact on our health,” he said.
Now Canadian scientists are trying to lead the trend – studying new, experimental methods to control the tick population and calling for new preventive methods.
National tick surveillance
As tick populations increase, so do the number of people with tick-borne diseases across Canada, says Dr. Gerald Evans, an infectious disease expert at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.
“We continue to see more and more cases,” he said. “We see people who are oncology primarily in the spring, but we see Lyme disease throughout the year, but mainly in the spring and summer.”
Negar Elmieh, a scientist at the National Centre for Environmental Health, said governments at all levels can fully track the tick population in Canada.
This could include a comprehensive national system that allows scientists to view ticks.
“Something is happening in Canada’s pocket, but there is no nationwide comprehensive tick surveillance system,” she said.
Negar Elmieh, a scientist at the National Center for Environmental Health, said a comprehensive surveillance program for TICK would be helpful. (Nav Rahi/CBC News)
Ogden from PHAC said TICK surveillance has increased a lot over the past two decades throughout Canada, as the Tick population increases.
According to the last report by the health agency, the authorities tracked the spider webs through images or samples collected from people or their pets, which were voluntarily submitted by the public, veterinarian or health care workers.
The report also examines ticks collected by researchers from natural habitats by dragging samples from 331 locations in 10 provinces (drag fabric along the fabric on the forest floor and see what kind of tick locks).
Through these data, it found that in provinces such as Quebec and Ontario, about a quarter of black-legged ticks carry bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
Targeting deer and white feet
The researchers also hope to curb tick populations by targeting raised animals.
A system used in the United States focuses on deer. It is called “4 Parasite Treatment”, and it involves strategically placing deer feed near a drum soaked in tick tick chemicals.
“As the deer eats, their legs rub against these drums, which apply pesticides to them,” Elmieh said.
Watch | What to look for as tickworm disease rises:
Tickworm disease is on the rise. This is something to be paid attention to
Toronto-based respiratory physician Dr Samir Gupta warned of the increase in tick bites and tick disease in Canada. Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of wild animals and are known to spread bacteria through bites.
But, Ogden said, these systems are not valid in every location.
“In some places, there are actually very few deer coming to feeders, so from one place to another,” Ogden said.
“That’s why it’s still a research project.”
Quebec is exploring similar treatments, but targeting mice and other rodents, not deer. It is called a “reservo-targeting approach” and it tries to reduce the spread of pathogens, resulting in disease in animals such as white-footed mice, rats and chipmunks.
This could mean putting the bait on a site containing pesticides called insecticides.
“So when the mouse goes in and eats one of the baits, it gets a dose of propionamide, which goes into the surface of the mouse and kills the tickworm.”
Smart beautification environment
Use an anti-worm agent (such as Deet or Iicaridin) to tuck your pants into your socks and thoroughly check your body for ticking after establishing a time outdoors to prevent tickworm disease.
Another way to reduce risks is to be wise about how to set up a backyard or entertainment area, Elmieh said.
Watch | Protect pets from ticks:
How to protect pets from ticks this summer
Dr. Lauren Adelman, a veterinarian, internal medicine expert and co-founder of the Advanced Dog Veterinary Society, said she has been seeing more dogs practicing in the footsteps of tickworms. She told B.C. Today’s Michelle Eliot owners should give their pets head to toe after a walk and take the animals to the veterinarian if they find tickworms.
“Ticks don't like hard surfaces, so use [hardscaping] Materials – concrete, rock, wood chips, gravel – perfect for sidewalks and party areas as ticks don't like crawling. ”
Another way to prune trees and bushes and maintain lawns, Elmieh said. She said it lowered humidity and increased sunlight, which was not liked. One can also add garden plants that deer and rodents are unlikely to attract, such as lavender, Russian sage, Pennyroyal, iris and daffodils.
“I want to think we're smarter than ticks. So I think if we can work collaboratively, I think we can do a lot of things.”