Interesting architecture, disconcerting application... Your thoughts

silvertipgrizz

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html

https://justcallmehomegirl.com/tick-tubes/

Dave S., Zone 5B, 1300 ft, 11" rain

In college for two summers I worked inspecting wild apple, crabapple, and hawthorn trees for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. There were so so many ticks. I wrote about it here:

https://ask.metafilter.com/283911/Tick-one-more-worry-of-our-list#4114137

The danger of ticks to human health can be high, and permethrin is less dangerous and more effective than DEET for keeping them away. Without knowing how many traps this person is putting out on her land, it is difficult to assess the environmental impact, but I have to say I would probably be a fan of using this method.

The other thing, at least in the western US where I am, is that the tick lifecycle only leaves a pretty small window when you really have to worry. I started my summer jobs in late May or early June, and by September there weren't any more ticks to worry about.

So if you are going to do this, educate yourself about what ticks you have in your area (call Fish and Wildlife or equivalent local organization, they will know and be delighted to tell you) and then use these traps only during the time period when you need them. Anything else is a waste.

Besides, the most effective measure is still to spray the permethrin on your clothes, not on dryer lint that gets put in a toilet paper tube. If you are worried about ticks, then do the things that work the best. This is pretty far down on my list. First would be clothing spray, then trouser blousing, then having a second person check your naked body with a flashlight, then after a few more things would I finally think about making one of these traps.

But you are right, it is an interesting design, and probably won't do any actual harm. :)

silvertipgrizz

@seasparrow32 When I saw the word 'Permethrin' my little brain registered....pesticide. Surely there is a way to make something like this plausible and safer to use than with a pesticide.. So I"m always interested in what others here think..

Thanks for your response.

Dave S., Zone 5B, 1300 ft, 11" rain

It is a pesticide, but it is safer than DEET, which actually messes with human DNA (!). So far current research suggests that permethrin is safe for all mammals.

It was a risk assessment I had to do when I was working-- spray this stuff on my clothes, or continue to have ticks crawling on my body, sucking my blood, and putting me at risk for Lyme disease. Plus that visceral reaction against ticks-- ugh! I hate them. Only thing worse was leeches when I was in the Army, but that's another story.... ;)

HearthForYou

I just spent the majority of the past 2 years in VT. It was beautiful and a great immersion living amidst forest and flowing rivers (instead of the dry wildfire areas in CA). I will not miss the ticks of which I've had several bites in one season.

It's good know of options to keep ticks at bay. I recently heard that it's not getting cold enough during the winter that moose are being infested with ticks and being taken down by them!

Apparently opossums and Guinea hens can keep ticks at bay but the guinea hens can end up with the same fate as moose. Protect opossums when you can.