March 2023 - Review of environmental management strategies to reduce tick populations

Introduction The range of ticks continues to expand, across North America and within Canada, due to global warming, host-animal migration, and land fragmentation, increasing the potential for exposure to emerging tick- borne pathogens.1-5 Ticks are known arthropod vectors that can transmit a wide range of bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens to humans and other animal species.6 The aim of thi. [...] The Centre for Disease Control and some public health authorities in the United States recommend using acaricides in residential areas for tick control and prevention.10,31 Acaricide application during the late spring/early summer can reduce 90-100% of nymphs or adult ticks in one season (depending on the timing of the application).13 Similar recommendations are made in some Canadian municipalitie. [...] Predation of ticks by other arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, and birds has been well documented.54 The effectiveness and success of such predation is dependent on the ecology, microclimate, and niche of a specific location.54 Policies that promote biodiversity by increasing green space in the built environment and landscape design may be beneficial in naturally reducing tick populations. [...] Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) The most effective tick-control measure is to limit activity in high-risk areas during peak activity periods.11 Most often, individuals are not aware of the risk of tick vectors and can therefore not make informed choices.11 Knowledge of ticks and tick-borne infections has been shown to increase the likelihood of engaging in protective behaviours.76 Data sh. [...] Most park visitors do not believe they are at risk for tick encounters.74,101 In the first known assessment of visitor perceptions of Lyme disease in Canada, it was found that approximately 30% of visitors reported REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO REDUCE TICK POPULATIONS 11 preparing for tick encounters and using the Ontario parks website, park visitor centre, and trailhead/washroo.