Week 6 Tick Surveillance- Shawn Schwenn

 Last week was a crazy hot week and the weather was not compliant to allow for multiple tick drags. I was able to go to two sites close by to me in Richmond, VA, Deep Run Park and James River Park- Pony Pasture. I decided to stay closer to home since the heat index was about 110 degrees that day just in case it got too hot. The first site, Deep Run Park, I was only able to get two American Dog Ticks and the second site, James River Park- Pony Pasture, I was not able to collect any ticks anywhere that was even moderately accessible to access with my tick drag. I do not know if it was a manner of being to hot for ticks to come out and grab the tick drag or if both sites have sprayed for ticks. I would not be surprised if the sites, especially James River Park has sprayed for ticks with all of the recreation going on in the park. Apparently last year a previous crew did a tick drag in James River Park- Pony Pasture they collected no ticks either, in completely different weather conditions. Also, I trail run frequently through other areas of James River Park that definitely have prime locations for ticks to thrive or could easily bite humans, but I have yet to get a tick while trail running (knocking on wood). I have no idea if this is true or not, I just look at something that does not look like a coincidence, but I believe it is a good thing if it is true for the sake of preventing vector borne diseases in the city. I tried to tick drag again on Friday, this time going up to Stafford, VA but the weather apps lied to me and it was misting there all morning and the ground was completely soaked and was a waste of a drive.

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