Research Strategies to Reduce Tick Densities and the Risk of Tick-borne Disease Transmission through Host-Targeted Control

Authors: Pound, Joe

Submitted to: Agricultural Outlook Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2011
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: While white-tailed deer are not reservoir hosts for the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, they are the keystone host animal on which adult female blacklegged ticks engorge on blood that is essential to production of tick eggs and completion of the life cycle. This session explores current research, experimental technologies, and tick control strategies to prevent these ticks from successfully feeding on deer, reduce the density of free-living ticks, and thus reduce the risk of humans being bitten by ticks in the environment.