We planned to test different bug repellents, OFF and Cutter, with the tick drag to identify which repellent would be more effective. We also planned to test our experiment in two different types of environments: Tall grass on dry land as well as tall grass near a stream which might retain moisture.
Materials Used:
-wood sticks
-white felt fabric
-zip ties
-staples
-staple gun
-scissors
-drill
-OFF Deep Woods Bug Repellant
-Cutter Natural Bug Repellant (Deet Free)
Making the "Probes"
1. First we measured the felt material to properly fit the wooden stick and proceeded to cut as necessary.
2. Next, we wrapped the material around the sticks about two inches in and stapled it so it wouldn't unravel.
3. Then, we drilled multiple holes through the material and stick to attach zip ties for extra support.
4. Finally, we attached a long string to the base of the tick drag to finish it off.
We repeated the steps above 3 times to make identical drags, then sprayed each one with a different repellant but leaving one without spray to use as our control for the experiment.
Materials Used:
-wood sticks
-white felt fabric
-zip ties
-staples
-staple gun
-scissors
-drill
-OFF Deep Woods Bug Repellant
-Cutter Natural Bug Repellant (Deet Free)
Making the "Probes"
1. First we measured the felt material to properly fit the wooden stick and proceeded to cut as necessary.
2. Next, we wrapped the material around the sticks about two inches in and stapled it so it wouldn't unravel.
3. Then, we drilled multiple holes through the material and stick to attach zip ties for extra support.
4. Finally, we attached a long string to the base of the tick drag to finish it off.
We repeated the steps above 3 times to make identical drags, then sprayed each one with a different repellant but leaving one without spray to use as our control for the experiment.
After a couple runs with our experiment we discovered that we weren't attracting any visible ticks in of initial environment. After a stressful 20 minutes we realized that we are looking for the wrong things in the wrong place.
We collaborated with the another group then we checked in a dryer less grassy area and found that we had nine ticks. We believe we had ticks all along but we didn't see them cause we didn't know that they where as small as they where . When we actually saw them it was time to go and we didn't get to really test our actual drags with the replants.