What are ticks poisoned with in the forest? - briefly
«Permethrin», «carbaryl» and entomopathogenic fungi such as «Metarhizium anisopliae» constitute the main agents used to poison ticks in forested environments. Application methods include treated vegetation, bait stations and aerial sprays.
What are ticks poisoned with in the forest? - in detail
Ticks encountered in wooded environments are commonly subjected to several categories of toxic agents. Chemical acaricides dominate control programs. Synthetic pyrethroids such as permethrin and deltamethrin interfere with neuronal sodium channels, causing rapid paralysis. Organophosphates (e.g., chlorpyrifos) inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to accumulation of acetylcholine and fatal overstimulation of nerve synapses. Carbamates (bendiocarb) act through a similar mechanism but with shorter environmental persistence.
Biological agents provide alternatives with reduced non‑target impact. Entomopathogenic fungi, notably Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, infect ticks via cuticular penetration, proliferate internally, and produce lethal spores. Nematodes of the genus Steinernema release symbiotic bacteria that induce septicemia in the arthropod host. Both groups are applied as aqueous suspensions to leaf litter or directly onto hosts.
Host‑targeted treatments exploit the blood‑feeding behavior of ticks. Systemic veterinary drugs administered to wildlife or domestic animals deliver lethal concentrations to feeding ticks. Ivermectin binds to glutamate‑gated chloride channels, causing hyperpolarization and paralysis. Afoxolaner and fluralaner, members of the isoxazoline class, block GABA‑gated chloride channels, resulting in rapid mortality of attached ticks.
Plant‑derived compounds constitute a third line of control. Essential oils rich in eugenol, citronellal, and thymol disrupt tick respiration and cuticular integrity. Alkaloids such as berberine and terpenoids like menthol exhibit acaricidal activity at low concentrations. These phytochemicals are often incorporated into bait stations or sprayed onto vegetation.
Implementation strategies combine these agents to maximize efficacy while mitigating resistance. Rotation of chemical classes, integration of biological pathogens, and timed application during peak questing periods reduce tick populations in forested habitats. Monitoring of residual toxicity ensures protection of non‑target species, including pollinators and soil microfauna.