The Tick-Fighting Robot

[Waynesboro]

I have always liked practical uses of technology that actually have a positive impact on people's lives. Check out this article about some Virginia Military Institute engineers' project to control ticks for a period of time.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/2066114-12/vmi-engineers-develop-robot-to-lure-kill-off.html

[Dogwood]

Don't those engineers know that tick repellant chemicals aren't dangerous?

[Waynesboro]

Don't those engineers know that tick repellant chemicals aren't dangerous?
Ha! Yeah, just like Agent Orange, they're organic!

[leaftye]

I have always liked practical uses of technology that actually have a positive impact on people's lives. Check out this article about some Virginia Military Institute engineers' project to control ticks for a period of time.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/2066114-12/vmi-engineers-develop-robot-to-lure-kill-off.html
This is great, but I think it would be difficult to adapt for the backcountry.

[FarmerChef]

Interesting concept. I believe that we must find a way to significantly reduce the tick population and/or eliminate the bacterial infections in ticks that lead to transmittal in humans. Blanket insecticide treatments are a scorched earth approach, albeit temporary, that can decimate the good as well as bad insect population in the treatment area and beyond (think bees).

I like this idea but it still doesn't get to the root of the problem unless through repeated applications users can somehow reduce the tick levels to something manageable. Otherwise you've got to use this robot like Roomba and treat the affected area every day (24 hour effective period).