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

Entomology Report May 2006, San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement District

On April 28, District staff conducted assessed the effectiveness of Suspend (a pyrethroid) for control of ticks along recreational trails. The material was applied in a 8 ft swath along the uphill side of a trail in San Pedro Valley Park, Pacifica. 90 ticks were collected in the 0.37 mi section before treatment (4.6 ticks/100 ft). Four days after treatment, only 1 tick was found in the same area (0.05 ticks/100 ft), Tick density in untreated areas was 9.3/100 ft. Two weeks post-treatment, no ticks remained in the treated area and it has remained free of ticks for 6 weeks. Insects and spiders continue to be present on the trail.

Results of this trial will allow the District to advise land owners on measures they can take to decrease the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases.

Previous related entries:

San Mateo County: Trial Application of Suspend for Control of Ticks, April 2006