To investigate innovative strategies for reducing tick populations and mitigating the risk of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome.
Approach:
Acaricide-treated Feed for Deer: Researchers will provide deer with acaricide-treated feed to prevent ticks from completing their blood meal necessary for egg production.
Super Baits for Rodents: Next-generation bait delivery systems will be developed for rodents, containing acaricides and antibiotics to kill ticks and reduce pathogen carriage.
Key Findings:
Nearly 31 million people in the U.S. experience tick bites annually.
More than half a million Americans are diagnosed with tick-borne diseases each year.
Tick populations are expanding into new geographic regions.
Limitations:
Controlling established tick populations is challenging due to their adaptability and association with wildlife.
