ANTI-TIQUE NATUREL

Ticks are found all over France, and are most active from March to October. They can be found in forests, woods, meadows, parks and gardens. Potential carriers of numerous pathogens, including those responsible for Lyme borreliosis, they can transmit diseases to humans, notably Lyme disease, for which there is as yet no vaccine. Transmission to the host occurs when the tick is bitten by its saliva, whatever its stage of development. Nymphs of the Ixodes genus, more numerous than adult ticks, are responsible for the majority of transmissions, with 96% of pathogens transmitted by infected hard ticks of the Ixodes ricinus species. Because of their small size and discreet behavior, they are particularly difficult for users of natural areas to spot. According to a Santé publique France Health Barometer survey published in 2016, 25% of the French population has already been bitten by a tick in their lifetime.

For foresters at the Office National des Forêts (ONF), who manage public forests, ticks are a daily concern. With global warming extending the activity period of these mites, ONF agents are frequently exposed to tick bites throughout their careers, increasing their risk of contracting diseases. When working in the field, they may also unwittingly bring ticks home, exposing their homes, where no personal protection measures are in place. Despite the public health implications, there is currently no effective solution to prevent Ixodes tick bites.

The only solutions available to date rely on chemical products, potentially harmful to health and the environment, applied to the skin or clothing, as well as preventive measures such as wearing long clothing, using repellents and carefully inspecting the body after exposure to risk. In order to find more effective solutions that are safe for human health and the environment, the NFB is collaborating with the Big Bang Project agency and Ceebios to devise innovative strategies and develop concepts for bioinspired alternative solutions.