For those that have/will be treating their yard with pesticides to lower the risk

I ran across a study that was done to compare the effectiveness of 3 different home use pesticides and their results!!!

"Ability of Three General-Use Pesticides To Suppress Nymphal Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)"

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Abstract

We evaluated 3 over-the-counter pesticides for their ability to suppress host-seeking Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum nymphs. We applied liquid concentrate and granular formulations of Bayer Advanced Complete Insect Killer, Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer, and Ortho Bug-B-Gon to forest plots using equipment available for purchase at retail home improvement outlets.

All 3 liquid formulations provided rapid knockdown (≥98% control) of both species 1 day after application.

Liquid Ortho Bug-B-Gone provided 100% suppression of I. scapularis throughout the 28-day postapplication period, while the other 2 liquid materials provided >95% control after 28 days.

All liquid products also provided ≥95% control of A. americanum nymphs after 28 days.

Granular formulations provided less consistent results, including lower 1-day knockdown rates for both species, due to very dry conditions, which prevented adequate release of the active ingredient from the carrier materials. After it rained in the study area, 7 and 14 days after application, we observed ≥99% suppression of both species.

At 28 days posttreatment, control ranged between 87.5% and 95.6% for I. scapularis and between 89.3% and 94.4% for A. americanum. We show that these over-the-counter acaricides effectively suppressed 2 medically important tick vectors for at least 4 wk, and they provide a cost-effective tick control option for homeowners.

In general, liquid formulations provided more rapid and greater and more consistent suppression than granular formulations, which may have implications for homeowner use of these products."


The only thing I changed in this abstract is the spacing - I added more to help make it easier to read for those with Neuro eye issues (me!).

www.bioone.org/doi/10.2987/16-6610.1

I have 2 acres and am surrounded by woods and unmowed fields 😐

PK, we have just under 15 acres of woods, but we have only about 3/4 of an acre that we 'work'. That's all I treat, as it surrounds the house, and is where my dogs, grandkids, kids, hubby and myself spend most of our time. It really does help (or I wouldn't use the pesticides - I hate them!), and allows us to be outside without constantly (literally) checking someone for ticks and other bugs.

So, even if you could get the area immediately surrounding the house mowed and then treat that, plus areas you usually walk (like to the car), that would help you avoid more ticks and bugs.

Just a thought!

Just remember that if you go into the woods, you will be "fully exposed" to all the bugs in your area - or if someone were to say, walk the boundaries, they would be more likely to have ticks and other bugs than someone staying further away from that 'boundary'. Then it calls for 'full dress' as I call it. Shirt, pants (actually overalls!), socks and hat all treated with permethrin, and my boots sprayed with deet. Then tick checks as soon as I come in, with my clothes staying away from everything until I can be sure that there are no ticks on them too. And of course, a shower!

Getting to the point we all need de-contamination areas to strip down in before coming into our homes! I kind of like the idea!

We're giving the dogs Nexguard chew preventative, hope it helps. I may try treating the immediate yard once Rose passes, but for now I have to allow her to graze whatever grass I have.