The claim

A statement on the Internet suggests that tick nests in the forest or the edge of the forest should be burned immediately as they pose a serious threat to the lives of many forest animals.

Our conclusion

This statement is misleading and potentially dangerous. Ticks do not build traditional “nests,” and burning them poses the risk of wildfires.

In the last few days, a photo has been making the rounds on Facebook that supposedly shows a tick nest. The accompanying text calls for you to burn this nest immediately as soon as you find one in the forest. But is this really the right approach? And how do you even recognize a tick nest?

This is currently the status amount, which has now been shared 80,000 times

Screenshot “Tick Nest” on Facebook
Screenshot “Tick Nest” on Facebook

Tick ​​nests – fact or fiction?


The term “tick nest” can lead to misunderstandings. Ticks do not build nests in the traditional sense, as birds or some mammals do. However, female ticks lay thousands of eggs, which are often found in a cluster. You could call this a “nest.” These eggs are very small, often no larger than the head of a pin, and can be easily missed.

Burning tick nests – a danger?


Burning tick nests is problematic for a variety of reasons. The most obvious danger is the possibility of a forest fire, especially in dry or windy conditions.

Burning tick nests is neither effective nor safe and can actually pose significant risks. Here are some reasons why it doesn't make sense to burn tick nests:

1. Fire Hazard : Igniting a fire outdoors, especially in wooded areas or areas with dry leaves and grass, can easily result in an uncontrollable fire. Wildfires can be devastating, causing significant damage to the environment, property and even human life.

2. Ineffectiveness : Burning a suspected tick nest may kill some ticks or eggs, but is unlikely to kill all ticks or eggs. Ticks are very resilient and their eggs are often hidden in cracks in the ground or under leaves where they are protected from flames. Additionally, burning a “nest” does not reduce the tick population in the area.

3. Harm to wildlife : Fire can be harmful to other animals and plants in the area. It can disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem and inadvertently harm harmless species.

4. Health risks : Inhaling smoke can be harmful to your health. This is especially true for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD.

If you spot such a cluster, you should be careful and avoid the area as the hatching larvae will seek a host to feed on. If you believe you have found a “tick nest” or if you suspect an area with a high concentration of ticks, you should contact a pest control service for professional assessment and treatment.

It should also be remembered that the most effective prevention against tick bites and tick-borne diseases is the use of appropriate clothing, insect repellent and regular checking for ticks when living in areas where ticks are common.

Controlling tick populations – what alternatives are there?


Fortunately, there are many ways to control tick populations without harming the ecosystem. Some of them are:

  1. Use of Pesticides: Pesticides specifically designed to control ticks can be used. However, these should be used with caution as they can also affect other animals and insects.
  2. Landscaping: Making changes to the landscape, such as removing tall grass and trimming trees and shrubs, can limit tick habitat.
  3. Natural Enemies: There are animals that eat ticks, such as certain types of birds, amphibians and insects. By promoting these natural enemies, the tick population can be controlled.
  4. Natural remedies: There are natural substances that can repel ticks. An example is citrus. Citrus oil can be applied to the skin or used in a spray to repel ticks.

Protection from ticks – what can you do?


Ticks can transmit a number of diseases, including Lyme disease and TBE (tick-borne encephalitis). That's why it's important to protect yourself effectively from ticks. Here are some options:

  1. Wear appropriate clothing: Long pants and long sleeves can help repel ticks. Clothing should be light-colored to make it easier for you to spot ticks. It is also helpful to tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
  2. Use insect repellent: Insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil are effective against ticks. Citrus oil can also be used as a natural repellent.
  3. Avoid Tick Areas: Ticks prefer wooded and grassy areas. Avoiding such areas or staying on trails can reduce your risk of a tick bite.
  4. Check yourself for ticks: After being in an area with ticks, you should check yourself and your clothing for ticks. Don't forget to also check pets that could bring ticks into the house.
  5. Shower after spending time outdoors: Showering within two hours of spending time outdoors can help remove unattached ticks.
  6. Vaccinations: There are vaccinations against some tick-borne diseases, such as TBE. Find out from your doctor about the options for a tick vaccination.

Ticks can be active all year round, especially in milder climates. Therefore, these precautions should always be followed when in a tick area.

In the age of social media, misinformation can spread quickly. That's why it's important to question information critically and rely on reliable sources. If you find a “tick nest” in nature, do not try to remove or burn it yourself. Instead, inform the relevant authorities, who can then take appropriate action.


Also read: Dangers and myths: What you need to know about ticks

In line with this topic:

Falling tick: fake news or fact?
Avoid tick bites: Fact check for effective protection
Have tropical ticks been found in Germany?
A dog's paw full of ticks
35 facts about ticks in a fact check
Dangerous new tick kills dogs!–Is that true?
(The alluvial forest tick and the white tick) Dangerous tick species in Germany: the tropical Hyalomma tick
Deer louse fly: Are there really ticks that can fly?
Ticks and mosquitoes: Can the pests transmit the coronavirus?


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )