San Mateo County: Trial Application of Suspend for Control of Ticks

Entomology Report April 2006, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

In May, the District conducted a small trial on the effectiveness of Suspend for control of ticks along recreational trails. The material was applied in a 8 ft swath along the uphill side of a 0.37 mi stretch of trail. 90 ticks were collected before treatment. Sampling was conducted three days and one week after treatment. 1 male tick was collected after three days and 0 ticks were collected at one week. In contrast, a segment of the trail immediately adjacent to the treated area contained 131 ticks per 0.27 mi. This data suggests that the control work was effective. The District will determine the feasibility of different control methods and make it available to the public. Assistance will be given to other agencies seeking methods to control ticks in high risk areas.