Tricks for Ticks

 While small in nature, ticks have caused a tremendous amount of hysteria across the country. With the rise in cases of Lyme’s disease, it’s important to be able to identify, prevent, and control ticks.

Lyme Disease Cases Increase

According to the CDC, about 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported every year. As represented by the graph below, the number of cases continues to increase – illustrating ticks are still a problem today[1].

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/index.html

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/stats/graphs.html

Common Ticks

This table includes common ticks around the United States and potential diseases they carry.

[1] https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ticks/rocky-mountain-wood-ticks/

[2] https://www.bayarealyme.org/about-lyme/what-causes-lyme-disease/blacklegged-tick/

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/blacklegged.html

[3] https://www.bayarealyme.org/about-lyme/what-causes-lyme-disease/blacklegged-tick/

https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/blacklegged.html

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/transmission/blacklegged.html

[5] http://www.ticksinmaine.com/ticks/other-ticks

[6] https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/tickid/maine-tick-species/ixodes-dentatus/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tularemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378635

[7] https://www.cdc.gov/stari/disease/index.html

https://tickinfo.com/lonestartick

[8] https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/tickid/maine-tick-species/winter-tick-or-moose-tick/

[9] http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/brown_dog_tick.htm

[10] https://www.cdc.gov/relapsing-fever/transmission/index.html

[11] http://eol.org/pages/514483/details\

https://www.adamspestcontrol.com/blog/bat-ticks-how-to-control-them/

Tips from the Expert – Martyn Hafley:

I would treat all surface or vegetation by using a pyrethroid of your choice (Talstar®, Demand®, Suspend®, Tempo®) in conjunction with Droplex Xtra®. Ticks are usually above the soil surface on plant foliage or bush (trunk of tree) awaiting for a warm—blooded animal to walk by. They then latch onto their host or “victim” to begin feeding. Focusing on these treatment areas is the way to go. The ticks will congregate along walking paths and around areas where there is food for them.

Every couple of months I recommend adding Archer® or Nyguard®. This is a growth regulator that has spectacular residual and can help break the life cycle of ticks. Every couple of months is best because if you are treating the same area, it will last for at least two months or more.

Granules are also fantastic tools in helping control ticks. Here is how:

• Because ticks don’t fly, and they crawl across the ground, nothing last longer than granules.
• Talstar Extra Verge® is a great product for pregnant ticks. Engorged pregnant ticks will drop off the host onto the ground to lay eggs. When a pregnant tick lands on the Talstar®, it kills her as well as the eggs. To put into perspective, here are some numbers on the numbers of eggs per females:
  • Rocky Mountain Wood Tick: 2500-4000 eggs
  • Western Black Legged Tick: Females can lay up to 1,000 eggs and die after depositing the eggs in soil or leaf litter.
  • Dog Tick: typically laying between 4,000 and 6,500 eggs on the ground
  • Black legged tick: 100-1,000 eggs[1]
  • Lone star tick: 3,000 to 8,000 eggs[2]

Tick Tubes: In conjunction with the spray and granules above, these are great to place along the perimeter of pathways where rodents and other animals will use the treated cotton for nest building. Its been shown that while rodents are using the treated cotton, they are helping to kill the tick population in their vicinity.

[1] http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/dtopics/tickborne/ticks.html

[2] http://www.cvbd.org/en/tick-borne-diseases/about-ticks/tick-species/lone-star-tick/life-cycle/

Rodent Control: This is an important part of the equation as Deer Ticks and Rocky Mountain Wood Tick Nymphs prefer rodents. I would use Evo Express stations®, Contrac Bait® (in the stations) and PCQ® bait together to reduce ticks.

These are the best products to use because of their reliability and effectiveness. Evo Express® is known for its strength that will provide high tamper-resistance with rodent and tick control. Likewise, Contrac® is one of the most persistent baits for rodents. PCQ® is also an impressive pellet recognized for ground squirrels. Ground squirrels have a habit for naturally foraging for food, so the pellets are perfect for control.[1] These products will kill two birds with one stone, or in this case rodents and ticks!

For best results, use the stations with Contrac® within 100 feet of structures. Contrac® is extremely attractive and has a broad label. Beyond those areas use PCQ® bait. It has more of a scatter and burrow label.

[1] http://www.motomco.com/pcq.html