Control of ticks.

A number of different acaricides provide highly effective control of tick populations on dogs and cats. These acaricides are formulated as sprays, dips, dusts, or shampoos for use on the animal. Further protection of the animal from reinfestation with ticks can be achieved with the use of acaricide-impregnated flea and tick collars. Some of these acaricides are registered with the EPA for indoor and outdoor use as controls for free-living populations of ticks. Caution should be used when applying these materials. The label directions for the application of the acaricide and disposal of the acaricide containers should always be followed. Removal of underbrush and leaf litter, thinning trees, and frequently mowing grasses help reduce the number of free-living ticks. Any reduction in the amount of wildlife food sources and cover areas potentially decreases populations of ticks and thus reduces the potential of these ticks parasitizing a dog or cat. Application of an acaricide for area-wide control of free-living ticks in the spring, summer, and autumn also reduces the number of ticks. New approaches to area-wide control of ticks by use of acaricides that are focused on controlling the ticks attached to small mammal hosts are discussed. Although research has shown that reductions in tick numbers can be achieved using these methods, acceptance of these methods by regulatory agencies and the public requires further research.