Effectiveness of selected granular acaricide formulations in suppressing populations of Ixodes dammini (Acari: Ixodidae): short-term control of nymphs and larvae

Abstract

Applications of selected granular acaricide formulations to the shrub layer of forested habitats during the peak activity periods of Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin nymphs and larvae significantly reduced the abundance of these stages on Peromyscus leucopus. The granules effectively penetrated growing vegetation and suppressed populations of subadult ticks questing in the leaf litter. The use of granular acaricide formulations provides the only documented method of control of free-living I. dammini nymphs and larvae in dense vegetation. As such, this technique will serve as a major component of any integrated control program against this vector tick species.