[Occurrence of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in public parks in Cuneo province (Piemonte, Italy)].

Mites Ixodidae (hard ticks) may represent an important public health problem even in urban green areas. In the present study, by doing weekly samples, the green areas (playgrounds, parks, picnic areas for dogs, etc.) of 17 municipalities in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont, Italy) have been inspected, for a total of about 18,710 m2 monitored. No sample was found positive for mites Ixodidae. From this study it can be concluded that the green areas surveyed do not pose a risk to the population, while probably the greatest risk of infestation for humans has to be found in domestic spaces and areas of woodland and forests.