Location: Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory
Project Number: 8042-10400-001-006-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 31, 2026
End Date: Dec 31, 2027
Objective:
The objectives of the research are to (1) determine tick population density and infection status of blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks at representative state parks, natural areas, and residential neighborhoods in suburban environment in Delaware; (2) evaluate tick control efficacy of the '4-Poster' deer bait and treatment station and Select TCS bait box that targets white-tailed deer and white-footed mice, respectively; and (3) assess tick bite risk awareness and tick bite prevention practice among outdoor workers and the general public to help strengthen tick-borne disease education and public health practice.
Approach:
This work will be conducted by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Research protocols will be jointly developed by USDA-ARS In-house tick control project. Appropriate permits will be obtained for work at field locations in Delaware. Assessment of population density and pathogen infection status of ticks will be achieved through tick sampling at test sites (state parks, natural areas, residential backyards / edges of wooded areas). Tick collection will be conducted by sweeping or dragging to generate quantitative estimates of tick population density. Tick sampling will be performed biweekly through the nymph and adult seasons, respectively. Assessment of tick infestation on mice and pathogen infection status will be achieved by trapping of mice using Sherman traps during immature tick months at residential backyards / edges of wooded areas. All collected ticks will be preserved in 80% ethanol and identified to species morphologically. Ticks and mouse tissue samples will be tested for main tick-borne pathogens, particularly Borrelia burgdorferi, with molecular techniques to allow proper assessment of tick bite and pathogen transmission risks and and evaluation of efficacy of host-targeted tick control measures. Field trials will be conducted in several field locations, including state parks in south Delaware and two residential neighborhoods in north Delaware. One state park with heavy presence of the lone star tick will be used as the treatment site. The lone star tick has become a major issue public health issue affecting park visitors and park rangers alike. '4-Poster' deer bait and treatment stations will be deployed to control lone star ticks feeding on white-tailed deer. Another state park with similar landscape features and presence of ticks will be used as untreated Control site. Similarly, one residential neighborhood in New Castle will be selected as treatment site for controlling the blacklegged tick with rodent bait boxed. A second residential neighborhood will be selected for use as an untreated control site. Tick sampling will help determination of baseline tick density and changes because of different tick control measures. Tick population density, pathogen infection prevalence in tick samples and mouse tissues collected from the treatment site will be compared with those obtained from the corresponding untreated control site to determine control efficacy. An online survey will be developed and distributed to the general public and outdoor workers, including park rangers, utility workers, farm workers to assess their knowledge on ticks and tickborne illnesses, repellents, personal protection practice and tick control products, as well as their opinion about use of ‘4-Poster’ deer bait and treatment stations and rodent bait boxes on public land, their neighborhoods or their own properties.