161 Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Naturae, 4: 161–169, 2019, ISSN 2543-8832 DOI: 10.24917/25438832.4.10 Anna Kocoń1*, Sylwia Janiczek1, Natalia Malejky-Kłusek2 1Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2 St., 30-084 Kraków, Poland, *a_kocon@wp.pl 2Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2 St., 30-084 Kraków, Poland Methods of protection against ticks (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks are ruthless, dangerous ectoparasites that attack a large host circle. �ey are in the second place, a�er mosquitoes, in the rank of dangerous blood-drinking arthro- pods. �e increased pace of urbanization and weather variability in recent decades have created new, convenient conditions for ticks to be found among people and pets. It is particularly dangerous as ticks carry numerous pathogens and spread tick-borne diseases, such as: Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis (Fig. 1A–B), babesiosis, granulocytic anaplasmosis. Depending on the morphological structure, ticks can be divided into proper (hard) (Ixodidae) and Argasidae (so� ticks) (Argasidae). Of the 19 species of ticks perma- nently found in the Polish fauna, Ixodes ricinus L. is – the common tick (Siuda, 1991) is the most common of the hard ticks (Appendix 1A). It occurs in green areas – not only along forest paths, in glades, and forest roads, but also increasingly in home gar- dens, playgrounds, and recreational places. In addition to the fact that ticks can be found in nature, during trips, picnics, walks, we also cannot feel safe in farm buildings and our own homes, due to the possible occurrence of a so� tick, Argas re�exus Fabr., attacking mainly nocturnal rock pigeons in lo�s, attics of buildings, on church towers (Appendix 1B). In terms of location of their occurrence, we can divide ticks into three ecologi- cal groups (Siuda, 1991) (Tab. 1): nest-burrow ticks – occurring in lo�s, attics, caves, basements, animal cavities and burrows, in the nests of mammals and birds, and in their hollows on trees or in rock shelters. �ese ticks are usually host-speci�c species, they spend their entire lives in hideouts, where they can feed on their host who lives, sleeps, breeds and hibernates there. In hidden habitats, there are small �uctuations in climatic conditions; non-nest ticks – found in litter, near bird nests built on trees, among vegetation. �ey occupy more open environments, feed on busy, migrating A nn a K oc oń , S yl w ia J an ic ze k, N at al ia M al ej ky -K łu se k 162 hosts, and are not attached to strictly located whereabouts and breeding of hosts. �e survival of a hungry tick in such conditions depends mainly on its tolerance to chang- ing environmental conditions, such as temperature, light, humidity; non-nest-burrow ticks – larvae and nymphs occur at the entrance and inside the burrows of mammals, while adults are non-nest parasites. �e di�erences in protection against tick attacks are primarily related to our whereabouts, and thus the possibility of encountering this dangerous parasite on its way. �ere are several options for protection against tick attacks, but there is no 100% e�ective way to avoid these parasites. Fig. 1. The number of cases of selected tick-borne diseases in Poland; A – Lyme borreliosis, B – Tick- borne viral encephalitis; *Data for day 30.09.2019 (Source: http://wwwold.pzh.gov.pl/oldpage/epimeld/index_p.html) M ethods of protection against ticks (A cari: Ixodida) 163 Tab. 1. Ecological groups of ticks found in Poland Ecological group Tick species nest-burrow Argas polonicus Siuda, Hoogstraal, Cli�ord et Wassef A. re�exus Fabricius Carios vespertilionis Latreille Ixodes apronophorus Latreille I. arboricola Schulze & Schlottke I. caledonicus Nuttall I. crenulatus Koch I. hexagonus Leach I. lividus Koch I. rugicollis Schulze & Schlottke I. simplex Neumann I. vespertilionis Koch non-nest Haemaphysalis concinna Koch H. punctata Canestrini & Fanzago Ixodes frontalis Panzer I. persulcatus Schulze I. ricinus Linneus I. trianguliceps Birula Dermacentor reticulatus Fabricius – adults form non-nest-burrow D. reticulatus – larvae and nymphs Ticks on the host’s body are looking for a suitable place, most o�en they are parts of the body with delicate skin, sweating: under the knees, groin, navel, armpits, at the base of the hair/neck, shoulders or behind the ears. In the case of pets, foraging of ticks is most o�en found around the neck, head, less o�en on the back and around the tail/ anus (Siuda, 1991). To defend against tick attacks, the following simple guidelines should be observed: avoid places typical for ticks (forest edges, forest paths, mid-forest clearings, animal trails covered with tall grass and bushes), thus avoid resting on the grass or in places covered with tall grass, lush vegetation, bushes; put on appropriate clothing, suitable for going out into the �eld, which will prevent ticks from moving onto the naked body: long trousers, with socks rolled out, high shoes, a long-sleeved sweatshirt inserted into trousers, headgear, neck coverage; use tick repellents in the form of sprays, creams, impregnation of things that are exposed to tick attacks, e.g. clothing, tents, blankets, footwear; parasite repellents should also be used for pets/farm animals; check the body for any ticks on clothing or exposed areas of the body; the tick inserted into the body should be removed as soon as possible using hygienic tweezers or special pliers available at pharmacies, pet stores; a�er returning home, check the body and the re- moved clothing, because ticks can wander unnoticed on the body or clothing; if we take a dog or a cat out, we also check its whole body a�er returning home; in addition, A nn a K oc oń , S yl w ia J an ic ze k, N at al ia M al ej ky -K łu se k 164 taking a shower and thorough cleaning with a sponge can help get rid of ticks; people who o�en spend time actively in the nature, on trips or actively working professionally with the forest and green areas should receive protective vaccinations against tick- borne encephalitis a�er consulting a doctor. �e most commonly used procedures in the human environment aimed at reduc- ing the number of ticks are: draining of wetlands, cutting or moving vegetation; sys- tematic mowing of grass, removal of bushy thickets; limiting access of rodents and other wild animals to human buildings: removal of hideouts, land�lls; in the case of so� ticks, systematic disinfection and protection of animal husbandry places: obser- vation of farm animals, in lo�s, checking the technical condition of the rooms; not allowing farm animals to move to human housing; rotations of pastures for grazing animals. In recent years, attempts have been made to use natural organisms to �ght ticks. �ese experiments are currently carried out on selected tick species, they are not long- term studies, so there is no 100% certainty that the given examples of animals elimi- nating tick populations can be used on a larger scale. Among the animals, we can mention several examples that can reduce the popu- lation of ticks in the environment – ants: �re ant (Solenopsis invicta Bur.) (Castella- nos et al., 2016); beetles: Staphylinus caesareus Ceder. – currently rare due to the use of a large number of spraying (Samish, Alekseev, 2001); bed bugs; butter�y larvae; �ies: Ixodiphagus hookeri How., a small insect laying eggs in a tick larvae, which then becomes food for the hatched wasp larvae (Collatz et al., 2010) (Appendix 1 C-D); reptiles: sand lizard (Lacerta agilis L.); birds: domestic hens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.), ducks (Anas sp.), turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo L.), black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix L.), pheasants (Phasianus colchicus L.), partridges (Perdix perdix L.), helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris L.) – the fact that guineafowl eat adult ticks was con�rmed by sci- enti�c research in 1990 in the USA (Du�y et al., 1992), red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus Stan.) (Bezuidenhout, Stutterheim, 1980), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis L.); rodents: sorex, mice – deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus Ra�n.) (Shaw et al., 2003), rats (Rattus sp. G. Fischer). Researchers (Angelo et al., 2015) inform that also some viruses, bacteria and fungi, e.g. Metarhizium anisopliae (Metch.) Sor. and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. as well as nematodes (Samish et al., 2000), have the ability to reduce and weaken tick populations. Research conducted by scientists shows that some plant species have deterrent properties and limit the occurrence of ticks in the area of cultivation of these plants, e.g. due to the intense smell caused by the release of speci�c essential oils into the air. However, it should be kept in mind that these are only experimental ways of �ghting ticks so far. �e research is carried out on selected species of ticks, on small popula- tions, so this is not a fully proven method of protection against ticks. �e plants listed M ethods of protection against ticks (A cari: Ixodida) 165 by scientists in the literature include, among others: tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L. – Appendix 1E) which is distinguished by a sharp spicy smell due to the essential oil – it repels not only ticks, but also mosquitoes, �ies and aphids (Pålsson et al., 2008); horse- radish (Armoracia rusticana P.Gaertn., B.Mey. et Scherb.) – an extract from the roots of horseradish not only repels but also kills ticks; catnip (Nepeta cataria L.) – contains nepetalactone – a compound that ticks and mosquitoes cannot tolerate (Birkett et al., 2011); sweet �ag (Acorus calamus L.) – this plant’s essential oil contains over 80% of azarone, which is a substance that repels ticks, mosquitoes, ants and �ies (Ghosh et al., 2011); onion (Allium cepa L.) – according to Russian scientists, dried onion powder is one of the most e�ective ways to get rid of ticks (Aboelhadid et al., 2013); garlic (A. sa- tivum L.) (Aboelhadid et al., 2013); wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) (Godara et al., 2015); wild garlic (A. ursinum L.); narrow-leaved lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) (Pirali-Kheirabadi, Teixeira da Silva, 2010); Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip. – the �owers of this plant contain cinerine and pyrethrin – toxic to insects (an extract from them is used in many insecticidal preparations); rosemary (Rosmari- nus o�cinalis L. – Appendix 1F) (Martinez-Velazquez et al., 2011). Repellents on sale are available in various forms: sprays, liquids in atomizers, lo- tions, gels, creams, wipes impregnated with a repellent substance, bracelets made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or silicone, plasters to stick on clothing or other surfaces, devices emitting ultrasonic sounds. In addition, pills, injections and spot-on are used for animals. Repellents may contain active substances of synthetic or natural origin. �e most commonly used synthetic active ingredients are: N-N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET); ethyl ester of 3-(N-acetyl-N-butyl) amino propionic acid (IR3535); 1-pip- eridine-carboxylic acid KBR3023 (icaridine) (Przygodzka et al., 2019). In Poland, in 2016, research was carried out to determine the repellent e�ect of Dermacentor reticu- latus Fabricius (meadow tick) ticks, products containing DEET, icaridine, IR3535 and a mixture of 3 substances: DEET, IR3535 and geraniol. Studies have con�rmed that a repellent containing 30% DEET showed 90% repellence for ticks even a�er 7  hours from applying the repellent on human skin, while the activity of other substances de- creased, the second best repelling compound was: 30% DEET, 20% IR3535 and 0.1% geraniol (60% of ticks not entering the skin a�er 7 hours). Products containing 20% of icaridine and 12% IR3535 repelled ticks e�ectively for 1.5 hour (Gliniewicz et al., 2019). However, it should be remembered that the tick species included in the research rarely attack humans, so it is necessary to carry out such experiments on a larger scale on the tick species I. ricinus most threatening the human species. Ticks are very dangerous parasites for humans and animals, which in addition to causing direct e�ects of foraging (skin damage) can also be the transmitters of tick- borne diseases. Currently, these parasites occupy many convenient habitats, have many hosts and the risk of an attack by ticks throughout Poland is a common phe- A nn a K oc oń , S yl w ia J an ic ze k, N at al ia M al ej ky -K łu se k 166 nomenon. Reducing the number of ticks will still remain the most sought a�er meth- od for preventing these parasites from occurring in human and pet habitats, as well as from spreading dangerous tick-borne diseases. Research on controlling ticks is based mainly on chemical insecticides, which are not completely safe for humans and ani- mals, and long-term tests of the environmental impact of these preparations are need- ed. �ere are several species of animals that eliminate the presence of ticks to some extent, and several species of plants that repel these dangerous parasites. However, the most promising method of bio-control so far is the use of fungal pathogens, reducing the number of ticks as well as a�ecting the movement and e�ciency of parasites. All natural ways to prevent the occurrence of ticks are still sought a�er, improved and implemented in the environment, but it should be kept in mind that such actions do not cause changes in relationships in local trophic networks. Acknowledgements �ank you prof. Nowak-Chmura Magdalena for support and help in writing the article. Con�ict of interest �e authors declare no con�ict of interest related to this article. 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Factors in�uencing the distribution of larval blacklegged ticks on rodent hosts. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 68, 447–452. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2003.68.447 Siuda, K. (1991). Kleszcze Polski (Acari: Ixodida). Część I. Zagadnienia ogólne. Warszawa, Wrocław: Wy- dawnictwo Naukowe PWN. [In Polish] Tanacetum vulgare L.: http://www.nic.funet.�/pub/sci/bio/life/plants/magnoliophyta/magnoliophytina /magnoliopsida/asteraceae/tanacetum/vulgare-2.jpg �e number of cases of selected tick-borne diseases in Poland. Data for day 30.09.2019: http://wwwold.pzh. gov.pl/oldpage/epimeld/index_p.html A nn a K oc oń , S yl w ia J an ic ze k, N at al ia M al ej ky -K łu se k 168 Appendix 1 A – Ixodes ricinus L. female (Source: https://www.gmx.net/magazine/wissen/natur-umwelt), B – Argas re�ex- us Fabricius (Source: https://zeckenrollen.de/zecken/zeckenarten-in-deutschland/), C – Ixodiphagus hookeri Howard (Source: http://www.zeckenhilfe.com/en/all-about-ticks/article/), D – Ixodiphagus hookeri attacking a fed female tick (Source: https://alchetron.com/Ixodiphagus-hookeri), E – Tanacetum vulgare L. (Source: http://www.nic.funet.�/pub/sci/bio/life/plants), F – Rosmarinus o�cinalis L. (Photo. A. Kocoń) M ethods of protection against ticks (A cari: Ixodida) 169 Metody ochrony przed kleszczami (Acari: Ixodida) Streszczenie Kleszcze (Acari: Ixodida) należą do roztoczy, pasożytujących najczęściej na gadach, ptakach i ssakach. Ze względu na znaczenie epidemiologiczne, epizootiologiczne, jak również bezpośrednią szkodliwość wśród ludzi i zwierząt, zaliczają się do jednych z najgroźniejszych pasożytów zewnętrznych. Na całym świecie stwierdzono występowanie około 850 gatunków kleszczy, w Polsce, do tej pory stwierdzono 19 gatunków stale występujących w faunie naszego kraju. Bytują one w różnych siedliskach od terenów nizinnych aż po tereny górskie, zajmując takie miejsca jak: lasy, tereny zieleni, strychy budynków w tym mieszkalnych i gospodarskich, nory, jamy zwierząt, jaskinie. Coraz częstsze występowanie kleszczy w bliskim otoczeniu człowieka i zwierząt przydomowych oraz domowych stwarza idealne warunki do przenoszenia patogenów chorób odkleszczowych. Nie ma wątpliwości, że stale poszukiwane są wszelkie sposoby ochrony osobistej i działania środowiskowe, chroniące przed atakami kleszczy oraz przed konsekwencjami jakie mogą wystąpić po żerowaniu pasożyta. Key words: parasite, tick protection, ticks Received: [2019.08.08] Accepted: [2019.11.15]