The University of Antwerp is looking for several hundred volunteers for the new citizen science project Teek a Break. Participants look for ticks in their garden, which are sent to the university for analysis.
Teek a Break is part of the European NorthTick, which is looking for solutions to the increasing number of infections due to tick bites. Gardens are crucial in this regard: in 2019 almost 45 percent of the reported tick bites were consumed Tekennet.be sustained in the garden. The number of infections with tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, is also on the rise.
That is why researchers at the University of Antwerp want to analyze the presence of ticks in gardens. They engage citizens for this. Biologist Käthe Robert hopes for several hundred volunteers throughout Flanders. ‘This way we can map out in which gardens ticks occur. Many factors will play a role here: think of the layout or management of your garden, the presence of pets or any wild mammals or birds, the distance to a nature reserve or a park … Schools with some greenery on the playground can also register. ‘
Craft flag crafting
The scientists also want information about the types of ticks, what stage of life they are in and whether they carry disease. ‘Naturally, we also want to increase the interest in science and nature in general, and knowledge about ticks in particular, among the general public,’ says Robert. ‘Everyone immediately thinks of Lyme disease, but the presence of ticks is also positive from a biological point of view. For example, it can be an indication of the naturalness of the garden and the biodiversity in it. ‘
If you want to participate, you must first craft a ‘drawing flag’ in which the ticks can be caught. ‘Anyone who catches ticks must first put them in the freezer for a week,’ explains Käthe Robert. ‘Afterwards they have to be sent to Teek a Break’s lab. Even if you cannot find a sign, you must report this. This information is also very important for the project. ‘
Teek a Break is part of the European NorthTick, which is looking for solutions to the increasing number of infections due to tick bites. Gardens are crucial in this respect: in 2019, almost 45 percent of the reported tick bites on Drawnet.be were contracted in the garden. The number of infections with tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, is also on the rise. That is why researchers at the University of Antwerp want to analyze the presence of ticks in gardens. They engage citizens for this. Biologist Käthe Robert hopes for several hundred volunteers throughout Flanders. ‘This way we can map out in which gardens ticks occur. Many factors will play a role here: think of the layout or management of your garden, the presence of pets or any wild mammals or birds, the distance to a nature reserve or a park … Schools with some greenery on the playground can also register. ‘ The scientists also want information about the types of ticks, what stage of life they are in and whether they carry disease. ‘Naturally, we also want to increase the interest in science and nature in general, and knowledge about ticks in particular, among the general public,’ says Robert. ‘Everyone immediately thinks of Lyme disease, but the presence of ticks is also positive from a biological point of view. For example, it can be an indication of the naturalness of the garden and the biodiversity in it. ‘ If you want to participate, you must first make a ‘drawing flag’ in which the ticks can be caught. ‘Anyone who catches ticks must first put them in the freezer for a week,’ explains Käthe Robert. ‘Afterwards they have to be sent to Teek a Break’s lab. Even if you cannot find a sign, you must report this. This information is also very important for the project. ‘
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