Silt fencing as a barrier to the dispersal of Ixodes scapularis (Acari:Ixodidae) into pastures.
Silt fence barriers were set along pasture fencelines and evaluated as a method of restricting the dispersal of blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, adults and nymphs from woodlands into adjacent horse pastures. The barriers received no acaricidal treatment for the 1st cohort of adults. Thereafter the woods side of the barriers was sprayed with cyfluthrin at the onset of each season of host seeking activity of nymphs and adults. When high densities of adults were present, the barriers significantly limited the numbers of ticks in pastures. Nymphs, however, were not significantly fewer in numbers in pasture areas associated with the barriers compared with control areas. Marked adult ticks released in woodlands and ecotones were recaptured on mowed verges and pastures, but there was little dispersal from the woods edge into the woods.
Carroll
J F
JF
Parasite Biology and Epidemiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
Schmidtmann
E T
ET
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D018884:Ixodes; D013983:Tick Control