Objective:
To elucidate critical, but poorly understood, elements of tick behavior mediated by chemical and physical factors. Develop ecologically based strategies and systems using kairomones, pheromones, attractants, toxicants and repellents to reduce tick populations and tick bites.

Approach:
Behavioral and electrophysiological responses of ticks to chemical stimuli will be ascertained by means of laboratory bioassays, time lapse videotaping and field trials. Chemicals suspected of affecting ticks will be evaluated by behavioral bioassays as attractants, arrestants, repellents and toxicants. Host-targeted tick control devices (4-posters) modified to discourage squirrel usage will be evaluated in the field for their effectiveness in reducing squirrel consumption of the corn bait.