How to fight the barn tick? - briefly
Control barn ticks by maintaining clean stalls, applying registered acaricides, and limiting wildlife and rodent access. Inspect livestock daily and isolate any infested zones to stop further infestation.
How to fight the barn tick? - in detail
Barn ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) thrive in livestock shelters, feed on animals and humans, and transmit pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii. Effective control requires a combination of habitat modification, chemical treatment, biological agents, and personal protection.
First, reduce tick habitat. Remove accumulated straw, manure, and debris from stalls and surrounding areas. Keep bedding dry and replace it regularly. Trim grass and weeds within a 10‑meter perimeter of the building to expose the ground to sunlight, which lowers humidity and discourages tick development.
Second, apply acaricides according to label instructions. Preferred products include synthetic pyrethroids (e.g., permethrin) for spot‑on treatment of livestock, and organophosphate sprays for environmental application. Rotate active ingredients every 6–8 weeks to prevent resistance. Use calibrated sprayers to achieve uniform coverage on walls, floors, and animal hide.
Third, introduce biological control. Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium anisopliae can be dispersed in the barn environment; they infect and kill ticks without harming livestock. Maintain humidity levels that support fungal activity (60–70 %). Commercial formulations should be applied during cooler periods to maximize efficacy.
Fourth, protect workers and animals. Equip handlers with long‑sleeved clothing, tick‑repellent clothing treatments, and permethrin‑treated boots. Apply EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin to exposed skin. Perform daily examinations of animals, removing attached ticks with fine‑tipped forceps, and dispose of them in alcohol.
Finally, monitor effectiveness. Conduct weekly tick counts using white‑cloth drags inside the barn and in the surrounding pasture. Record numbers, identify life stages, and adjust control measures accordingly. A sustained reduction of 80 % or more over a 12‑week period indicates successful management.