Control of Immature <I>Ixodes scapularis</I> (Acari: Ixodidae) on Rodent Reservoirs of <I>Borrelia burgdorferi</I> in a Residential Community of Southeastern Connecticut

Abstract

A 3-yr community-based study was conducted on residential properties on Mason's Island, Mystic, CT, to determine the efficacy of a rodent-targeted acaricide (fipronil) to control immature Ixodes scapularis (Say) on Peromyscus leucopus. Results indicated that modified commercial bait boxes were effective as an acaricide delivery method for reducing nymphal and larval tick infestations on white-footed mice by 68 and 84%, respectively. Passive application of fipronil significantly reduced the infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi among white-footed mice by 53%. Moreover, the abundance of questing I. scapularis adults on treated properties was reduced by 77% and fewer were infected with spirochetes (31%) compared with untreated sites (47%) after 3 yr of treatment. Likewise, the abundance of host-seeking nymphs was significantly reduced on treated properties by >50%. Finally, infection rates in flagged nymphal ticks for both B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum were reduced by 67 and 64%, respectively, after only 2 yr of treatment. Results from this 3-yr trial indicate that the use of fipronil passively applied to reservoir animals by bait boxes is an environmentally acceptable means to control ticks, interrupt the natural disease transmission cycle, and reduce the risk of Lyme disease for residents of treated properties.

Elimination of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Rodent Reservoirs and Ixodes scapularis Ticks Using a Doxycycline Hyclate-Laden Bait

“…In a 3-year study on a coastal island of Connecticut, bait boxes reduced immature I. scapularis burdens on mice by 76%, questing nymphal populations by > 50%, and the number of infected mice by > 57%. 11 In a New Jersey field trial, simultaneous deployment of US Department of Agriculture 4-Poster deer feeders and MaxForce TMS bait boxes was used to passively treat deer, white-footed mice, and eastern chipmunks, and it resulted in a 94.3% reduction of host-seeking nymphal ticks after 2 years. 12 In the present study, the use of doxycycline-treated bait significantly reduced the percentage of rodent reservoirs infected with B. burgdorferi by 86.9% compared with > 50% for the fipronil-treated bait boxes.…”

“…The 4-Poster (ARS, USDA, Kerrville, TX) topical treatment device, which targets adult I. scapularis parasitizing white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), and the Maxforce TMS (Tick Box Technology Corp., Norwalk, CT) bait boxes, designed to treat a variety of smallmammal hosts of immature I. scapularis , have been shown to be effective when used alone or in combination. [11][12][13] Although these technologies have the advantage of minimizing the amount of acaricide introduced into the environment, their widespread use has been constrained by regulatory and economic considerations.…”

“…15 Animals were ear-tagged (Monel Model 1005-1 or 1005-3; National Band and Tag Company, Newport, KY) and weighed, their overall body measurements were recorded (total body length, tail length, right ear length, and right hind foot length), and subsequently, they were released at the point of capture. 11 Small mammals recaptured during a particular trapping event were not reprocessed.…”

Reservoir Targeted Vaccine for Lyme Borreliosis Induces a Yearlong, Neutralizing Antibody Response to OspA in White-Footed Mice

“…In one study, acaricide self-treatment of white-tailed deer resulted in reduction of tick density (10,24,29,48). In another study, a rodent-targeted acaricide (fipronil) delivered to white-footed mice (P. leucopus) in modified commercial bait boxes was also effective in reducing nymphal and larval tick infestations (tick density) (15). In an alternative approach, a doxycycline rodent bait formulation prevented tick transmission of B. burgdorferi to vertebrate hosts as well as cured established infections in mice (16) (59).…”

Elemol and amyris oil repel the ticks Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) in laboratory bioassays

“…Recently developed area-wide tick control technologies have shown promise, but their implementation has lagged (Fish and Childs 2009;Dolan et al 2004;Piesman and Eisen 2008). Consequently the use of repellents is recommended for the personal protection of people entering tick habitats (CDC 2002).…”