Researchers at Old Dominion University are testing a robotic device designed to help reduce tick populations in Virginia, where cases of tick-borne illnesses have been increasing. The device, called TickBot, operates similarly to a Roomba vacuum but targets ticks by using a cloth treated with permethrin, an insecticide commonly used on military clothing and footwear. This chemical acts as a neurotoxin to ticks, killing them within 45 minutes of contact while posing minimal risk to other insects and wildlife.
The TickBot, a remote-controlled robot running on four wheels, is intended to safely treat outdoor areas by passing over vegetation and leaf litter where ticks typically reside. Holly Gaff, chair of Old Dominion’s biological sciences department and head of the tick research team, emphasized the robot’s advantage in causing beneficial insects to disperse due to its movement, thereby limiting unintended ecological impacts.
Since 2012, the research team has collected over 350,000 ticks throughout Hampton Roads to better understand the health risks they pose as well as strategies for prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. The current pilot program involves testing the TickBot at multiple locations, including the Preserve in Chesapeake’s Elizabeth neighborhood, Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve in Portsmouth, and NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton. The goal is to refine the technology for potential commercial use, enabling individuals to manage tick populations in their own yards.
Contrary to the common misconception that ticks reside in trees, the researchers note that ticks primarily inhabit low-lying ground environments, making a ground-operating device like TickBot particularly suitable for their control. The team hopes the technology will contribute to addressing a growing public health concern, as tick bites can transmit illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and alpha-gal syndrome.
Virginia has experienced a rising incidence of tick-borne diseases in recent years. The blacklegged tick, lone star tick, American dog tick, and Gulf Coast tick are the species most often encountered in the state. Lyme disease, initially characterized by rashes, fatigue, and fever, can worsen without treatment, while Rocky Mountain spotted fever carries the risk of fatality.
Alpha-gal syndrome, a lesser-known condition becoming more prevalent in Virginia, causes a delayed allergic reaction to red meat following a tick bite. Emily Owens Pickle, assistant professor of epidemiology, biostatistics, and environmental health at Old Dominion and Norfolk State University, explained that the syndrome results from an unusual immune response to a carbohydrate introduced by the tick, leading to symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and vomiting days to months after the bite.
The prevalence of ticks in Virginia is attributed to regional migration patterns, high populations of white-tailed deer, and favorable humid conditions, creating an ideal environment for ticks to thrive. Experts recommend preventative measures including wearing light-colored clothing, applying permethrin-based repellents, tucking pants into socks, and using medication to control ticks on pets. Proper tick removal involves using fine-tipped tweezers or specialized tools to carefully extract the tick by its head.
The ongoing research and development of the TickBot represent a novel approach to managing tick populations with the aim of reducing associated health risks while minimizing environmental impact.