Ticks’ attraction to electrically charged hosts

Ticks are blood-feeding parasites with limited locomotion, known for transmitting multiple pathogens to vertebrates. England et al. suggest that ticks can be easily pulled, via electrostatic induction, toward charged hosts with fluffy coats that are prone to accumulate higher electrostatic potentials. Thus, static electricity may influence ticks’ ecology and management. Ticks are blood-feeding parasites with limited locomotion, known for transmitting multiple pathogens to vertebrates. England et al. suggest that ticks can be easily pulled, via electrostatic induction, toward charged hosts with fluffy coats that are prone to accumulate higher electrostatic potentials. Thus, static electricity may influence ticks’ ecology and management.