Scent detection dogs detect a species of hard tick, Dermacentor albipictus, with comparable accuracy and efficiency to traditional tick drag surveys

Table 2 Estimated costs for training a scent detection dog team to find a hard tick species in the field compared to a human-only tick drag survey. We also compared costs and hours/days worked to survey 32 250 m transects stratified across Jackson Hole, Wyoming and three 500 m × 500 m surveillance plots

Type of cost	Survey method	Costs	Cost per unit	Units	Total cost (USD$)
Training	Human-only tick drags	Training in WY	$22.08/h	8 h	176.64
		Supplies	Drag cloth, gear, etc.		150
		Lodging	$50 per day	1 day	50
		Total		1 day	376.64
	Dog team	Training in Wyo^a	$73.75/h	48 h	3540
		Supplies	PVC elbows, etc.		100
		Handler per diem	$51 per day	6 days	306
		Lodging	$50 per day	6 days	300
		Total		8 days^b	4246
32 Transect surveys	Human-only tick drags	Salary	$22.08/h	29 h	640.32
		Lodging	$50 per day	4 days	200
		Total		4 days	840.32
	Dog team	Handler service fee^a	$73.75/h	12 h	885
		Handler per diem	$51 per day	2 days	102
		Technician salary	$22.08/h	4 h	88.32
		Lodging (handler)	$50 per day	2 days	100
		Lodging (technician)	$50 per day	2 days	100
		Total		2 days	1275.32
3 Surveillance plot surveys	Human-only tick drags	Salary	$22.08/h	8 h	176.64
		Lodging	$50 per day	1 day	50
		Total		1 day	226.64
	Dog team	Handler service fee^a	$73.75/h	7 h	516.25
		Handler per diem	$51 per day	1 day	51
		Technician salary	$22.08/h	2 h	44.16
		Lodging (handler)	$50 per day	1 day	50
		Lodging (technician)	$50 per day	1 day	50
		Total		1 day	711.41

^aHandler service fee includes handler salary, dog care, insurance, and food as well as operational costs for WD4C
^bScent detection dogs require 2 days of rest for every 5 days of work

ISSN: 1756-3305