The call came to members of the VTFW Conservation Group in late March of 2020 – if you find a
dead, tick-covered moose or a bloody bed filled with ticks while you’re out wandering around, get the
word out. UVM Researcher, and former VT Dept of F&W Board Member, Cheryl Sullivan needs those
moose ticks to continue her tick management research. (Read about her efforts here)

Female ticks (the big ones gathered and shown here) are placed in chambers to lay eggs so that there are larvae for experiments

Always ready to assist with projects, our members stayed alert. In April, a few folks from the Averill
contingent found ticks on the ground. Cheryl was called and the ticks were picked up.

Ms. Sullivan also was able to find several herself, writing in April, “I have been up there several times
including yesterday (what a beautiful day) when I finally was able to get my hands on some after putting
on the miles. I cut a fresh bloody track and followed it up until the going got rough then back down until
I ran out of snow picking up the dropped ticks along the way.”

 

Moose track and ticks (note the blood)

She reports that the earlier snowmelt this year may have good for any heavily parasitized moose and
unfortunately it may also good for the ticks for this coming fall if the area continues to have a high
moose density.

If you’re interested in getting involved in more grassroots conservation work, reach out to a director!

Tick laying eggs in the lab