Table 5 Practices of Ohio-based producers (n = 57) that participated in a self-administered anonymous electronic survey regarding ticks and tick-borne diseases
From: Describing the experience of livestock producers from Ohio, USA with ticks and associated diseases
Question | n (%) |
|---|---|
Which of these personal tick bite prevention strategies do you use when going into areas that you know have a lot of ticks?a | |
Wear long sleeves and long pants | 38 (66.7%) |
Checking for ticks soon after leaving the area | 32 (56.1%) |
Using tick repellent (spray, lotion, or repellent-impregnated clothing) | 29 (50.9%) |
Shower and changing clothes soon after leaving the area | 23 (40.4%) |
Other | 1 (1.8%) |
No answer | 2 (3.5%) |
How often do you use these strategies when you are in areas that you know have a lot of ticks? | |
Always | 12 (21.1%) |
Often | 33 (57.9%) |
Sometimes | 10 (17.5%) |
No answer | 2 (3.5%) |
Which of the following methods do you use to protect livestock on the farm from ticks?a | |
Physical removal | 24 (42.1%) |
Insecticidal ear tag | 22 (38.6%) |
Spray | 21 (36.8%) |
Oral/injectable dewormer | 20 (35.1%) |
Environmental management (e.g. clearing brush) | 14 (24.6%) |
Pour-on | 12 (21.1%) |
Dust | 9 (15.8%) |
We don’t use any tick prevention methods | 3 (5.3%) |
Dip | 2 (3.5%) |
No answer | 7 (12.3%) |
How do you remove ticks from yourself or your animals?a | |
“Smother” the tick with nail polish, petroleum jelly, alcohol, gasoline, or other substances | 24 (42.1%) |
Grasp the tick close to its head/mouth using tweezers and pull straight out | 21 (36.8%) |
Grasp the tick close to its head/mouth and remove using a twisting motion | 18 (31.6%) |
Burn the tick with a match or lighter | 12 (21.1%) |
Freeze the tick | 4 (7.0%) |
Crush the tick before removing | 1 (1.8%) |
I have never removed a tick | 1 (1.8%) |
No answer | 8 (14.0%) |
Has the farm’s veterinarian discussed tick prevention strategies with animal caretakers on the farm? | |
No | 10 (17.5%) |
Yes, but not in the past year | 8 (14.0%) |
Yes, in the past year | 25 (43.9%) |
No answer | 14 (24.6%) |