Dr. Stafford Tick Management Handbook - Newtown, CT

StaffordIntegrated Tick ManagementThe Connecticut Agricultural Experimentation Station73Integrated pest management (IPM) basicallyinvolves the selection and use of several methodsto reduce, rather than eliminate, a pest populationwith expected ecological, economic, andsociological costs and bene. ts. For ticks, this mayinvolve the use of landscape practices to reducetick and host animal habitat adjacent to the home,management or treatment of host animals, targetedapplications of least-toxic pesticides to high-risktick habitat – all in conjunction with tick checksand other personal protective measures to either reduce the number of infected ticks and number oftick bites. The ultimate goal, of course, is to reduce the number of human cases of disease as muchas possible with the resources available. A decision has to be made on how much one is willingto spend and what ecological impact one is willing to tolerate to reduce the risk of a tick-borneillness. An integrated management approach does not necessarily preclude the use of pesticides, forexample, but seeks to use chemicals effectively and responsibly in order to minimize and reduceexposure and use. Research and computer models have shown that pesticides are the most effectiveway to reduce ticks, particularly when combined with landscaping changes that decrease tick habitatin often-used areas of your yard.Tick Distribution and Creating a Tick Safe Zone in the ResidentialLandscapeTick abundance is related to landscape features of thesuburban residential environment that provide a suitableenvironment for the tick and its animal hosts, particularlywhite-tailed deer and white-footed mice. While there isa lot of variation in tick numbers between homes, largerproperties are more likely to harbor ticks because they aremore likely to have woodlots. The blacklegged tick is foundmainly in densely wooded areas (67% of total sampled) andecotone (22%), which is unmaintained transitional edge 74habitat between woodlands and open areas. Fewer ticksare found in ornamental vegetation (9%) and lawn (2%).Within the lawn, most of the ticks (82%) are located within3 yards of the lawn perimeter particularly along woodlands,stonewalls, or ornamental plantings. Tick abundance inmanicured lawns is also in. uenced by the amount of canopyvegetation and shade. Groundcover vegetation can harborticks. Woodland paths also may have a high number of ticks,especially adults, along the adjacent grass and bushes.75The lawn perimeter, brushy areas and groundcovervegetation, and most importantly, the woods, form the high-risk tick zone. The idea for residentialtick management is to create a tick managed area around your home that encompasses the portionsof the yard that your family uses most frequently. This includes walkways, areas used for recreation,play, eating or entertainment, the mailbox, storage areas and gardens.44 Bulletin No. 1010