d. Fly Paper Strip Surveys. Strip surveys are rapid, but the data obtained have
Iittle numerical reliabiIity. Only a few kinds of flies present wiII be captured. Strips of
sticky paper are suspended in buildings and outdoors for a definite period of time
(usually 4 hours), after which flies are collected, identified, and counted.
3-5.
MITE SURVEYS
One of the common ways to survey an area for mites is by the use of the "black
plate." This is simply a piece of black plastic, wood, or metal painted black that is of
uniform size, usually 8 to 12 inches square. One easy way to make sure that you have
a plate with you at all times is to paint a clipboard black and use this to keep your field
notes on. You should use a dozen or more plates in your survey because of the patchy
distribution of chiggers. All plates should be of the same size and be made of the same
material. These plates are placed on the ground in the area to be surveyed and are
warmed by the sun. The heat from the plate attracts the mites and they are seen as
small yellowish, pinkish, or reddish spots that move rapidly over the surface of the plate.
The plates are left in place for 10 to 15 minutes and the chiggers counted on each plate
thus allowing a comparison with another area for the same exposure time. A favorite
resting place for chiggers are old tree stumps and fallen logs.
3-6.
TICK SURVEYS
a. Tick surveys are conducted to determine the following: species of ticks
present in an area, infested area boundaries, necessity for control, and effectiveness of
control operations. Ticks are more commonly found in brushy, wooded areas where
wiId or domestic animals are available for food. Such areas include training and
maneuver areas.
b. There is no easy or simple method to conduct a survey. As "in all
entomological surveys, tick surveys require practice and experience in order to perfect
techniques. One of the most successful techniques has been the use of the "tick drag."
A "tick drag" is a one-yard square piece of white flannel cloth reinforced at both ends by
a rod or stick. A string is attached to each end of one of the rods to allow you to drag
the cloth behind you. There are three methods by which the drag or white cloths may
be used.
(1) Pull the drag over a predetermined distance, usually 50 yards or 50
steps. Then stop and collect the ticks that have attached themselves to the cloth. Ticks
may be collected with forceps or by rolling the drag with a disposable adhesive-type Iint
roller.
(2) Place the drag on the ground and sit on it for 5 to 10 minutes. Then
collect the ticks that crawl onto the cloth. Clothing should be thoroughly examined for
ticks and rolled with a Iint roller to remove ticks. When clothing is removed, the body
should be checked for ticks attached to skin, particularly the legs and the nape of the
neck. Any ticks found attached to the skin should be carefully removed with forceps by
MD0170
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