Review: Application of Tick Control Technologies for Blacklegged, Lone Star, and American Dog Ticks

Tick population control technologies have been studied for several decades but no method is successful in all situations. The success of each technology depends on tick species identity and abundance, host species identity and abundance, phenology of both ticks and hosts, geographic region, and a multitude of other factors. Here we review current technologies, presenting an overview of each and its effect on three common tick species in the eastern United States: blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis (Say; Ixodida: Ixodidae)), lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus; Ixodida: Ixodidae)), and American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis (Say; Ixodida: Ixodidae)). Moreover, we assess the relative success among methods within the same season, as well as over successive years, in reducing tick populations by life stage. For each tick species and life stage, we present published findings, and in the absence of published studies, we hypothesize the most likely outcome based on tick life history. Integrated tick management over a specific time scale, using a variety of tick control technologies, will have the greatest effect on reducing tick abundance.