Abstract
Two surveys were developed and mailed to veterinary clinics and pest control companies in Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) and Austin/San Antonio (ASA). The objective of both surveys was to determine the extent and severity of tick-related problems in urban and suburban environments. Questions addressed clientele, tick biology and ecology and, for the veterinary clinics, tick-borne/-related diseases or illnesses diagnosed or treated in their canine patients. Rhipicephalus sanquineus, the brown dog tick, was reported to be the most frequently encountered tick species. Tick infestations were most prevalent during the summer months. DFW clinics and both groups of pest control companies reported incidental (i infestation/yr.) infestations to be the most common type of tick-related problem. ASA clinics however, reported seeing more chronic (>l infestation/yr.) infestations among their canine patients. All groups indicated that ticks were a problem, particularly around the home, adjacent yards or lots and in greenbelts (unmanaged meadows and wooded areas in and around cities). clinics reported canine ehrlichiosis and anemia to be the most frequent tickborne/-related illnesses. Rocky Mountain spotted fever was seen more often in the DFW area while tick paralysis was diagnosed and/or treated more frequently in the ASA clinics. Respondents were also asked to indicate on a gridded map of their respective city where their tick-infested patients or clients were located. Analysis of map cell frequency counts showed the highest number of counts to be clustered in particular areas with overlaps in these cells between clinics and pest control companies. Analysis of map cell frequency counts showed a high association between respondent density (mapped according to zip code address) and high cell counts, indicating that cell frequency distribution was probably in large part, due to an artifact of respondent density.
Dykstra, Elizabeth Ann (1993). Tick problems in urban and suburban environments: a comparative survey of veterinary clinics and pest control companies. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1993 -THESIS -D9963.