3 components of integrated tick management at animal facilities

Ticks are small, blood-feeding arachnids found in diverse environments around the world. Of the 867 known species, most serve an ecological function by parasitizing mammals, birds and reptiles. Approximately 10 percent act as disease vectors, however, and pose significant risks to animal and human health.

Bat ticks (Alectorobius kelleyi) are a soft-bodied species. PHOTO: DR. MOHAMMED EL DAMIR, BCE

For example, Rocky Mountain wood ticks (Dermacentor andersoni) and American dog ticks (D. variabilis) transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii, or RMSF). Lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) and brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) spread ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia canis). Hard-bodied ticks in the invasive Hyalomma genus also transmit bovine and ovine ehrlichiosis.

To effectively manage tick-borne diseases, we must first understand the tick’s life cycle, which can be categorized into the following:

• One-host ticks complete their life cycle on a single host. Example: Cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus annulatus)
• Modified one-host ticks spend most of their life on one host, with only the adult stage detaching. Example: Spinose ear ticks (Otobius megnini)
• Three-host ticks require three hosts. Example: Black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis, also known as deer ticks)
• Multi-host ticks feed on multiple hosts during their development. Example: Fowl ticks (Argas persicus)

In addition to residential yards and commercial green spaces, you may encounter various tick issues with animal facilities accounts, ranging from large farms and zoos to smaller footprints like animal shelters and pet daycare centers.

Once you have identified which tick species you’re dealing with and their biology and behavior, create an integrated pest management (IPM) program using the following three focus areas.

1. Tick habitat management

Male American
dog tick. PHOTO: DR. MOHAMMED EL DAMIR, BCE

Just as in controlling any pest, reducing tick habitats limits their ability to thrive, making it harder for them to survive and spread. These actions can be taken by your customers between visits or by your team as add-on services. At every visit, document that these tasks continue to be performed as appropriate.

• Vegetation control. Regularly mow grass, remove tall weeds and clear leaf litter around animal facilities to reduce tick habitats. Trim overgrown vegetation near pastures and barns to eliminate potential tick shelters.
• Moisture control. Improve drainage systems to reduce damp, humid conditions that favor tick survival. Repair fences and install barriers to limit wildlife movement, reducing the introduction of ticks into the area.
• Area rotation. If possible, rotate grazing areas or other places where animals gather regularly at the facility to prevent the prolonged use of “tick-prone zones.” Doing so disrupts tick populations and minimizes their habitat.
• Facility sanitation. Regularly clean and disinfect animal housing, bedding and feeding areas to minimize tick presence. Promptly dispose of straw and manure to prevent tick attraction. Maintain cleanliness around feed troughs and waterers to reduce potential tick habitats.
• Wildlife control. Secure feed and water sources to prevent wildlife from accessing them, which could introduce ticks. Implement physical barriers or repellents to limit wildlife presence near the facility.
• Space ventilation. Ticks thrive in moist, humid environments, so ensure animal pens, stables and barns are dry and well-ventilated. Good air circulation reduces humidity, making it more difficult for ticks to survive. Regularly clean and maintain these areas, especially bedding materials that could harbor ticks or larvae. Raising floors or using materials that discourage tick habitats may further reduce the likelihood of tick infestations.

An engorged American
dog tick nymph. PHOTO: DR. MOHAMMED EL DAMIR, BCE

2. Prevention measures

Exclusion and pest-proofing are essential for preventing ticks from entering and infesting buildings and protecting animals and humans from tick-borne diseases.

For example, ticks can enter buildings through small cracks and gaps. To prevent their entry, seal the following:

• Walls, foundations, windows and doors.
• Utility lines for pipes, cables and vents.
• Doorways and windows of high-traffic areas.

Use durable, weather-resistant materials to repair these areas and regularly inspect them for new cracks or gaps. Seal them as needed.

In addition, conduct routine inspections to identify potential entry points. Focus on cracks in walls, foundations and doors. Gaps around utility entry points for pipes, cables and vents. High-traffic areas where ticks may frequently enter.

Address any cracks or gaps immediately to prevent ticks from entering the building. Quick repairs help maintain a tick-proof environment. Document whenever you first point out such areas and when the repairs are complete — especially if it is the responsibility of the clients to make repairs.

Review exclusion measures periodically for ongoing maintenance to adapt to changes such as new construction or vegetation growth that may create new entry points. Regular upkeep ensures your accounts remain inhospitable to ticks over time.

Female American dog tick. PHOTO: DR. MOHAMMED EL DAMIR, BCE

3. Treatment strategies

When a tick population emerges, choosing the right products and following label directions is crucial.

Rotating treatments with different modes of action throughout the season helps maintain effectiveness and prevent resistance. While prevention is key, infestations in indoor animal facilities often require treatment to ensure long-term control.

Outdoor tick control involves precise pesticide application in high-risk areas, such as barn perimeters, shaded zones, transitional spaces between lawns and wooded areas, stone walls and groundcover vegetation.

Start outdoor applications in early spring, when tick activity peaks, and maintain treatments through fall.

In areas with heavy infestations, reapply every four weeks to effectively target adults and nymphs, ensuring control of all life stages that pose disease risks.

Key strategies include:

• Target host pathways. Treat areas commonly used by pets and wildlife to prevent tick reintroduction, especially in locations with recurring infestations.
• Protect pollinators. Follow your labels carefully and avoid applying pesticides to blooming or flowering plants.
• Ensure uniform coverage. Use appropriate equipment to evenly distribute pesticides across tick-prone habitats, ensuring comprehensive treatment. Adding adjuvants to pesticide mixtures can enhance efficacy by reducing drift and runoff and increasing surface retention. They also can act as buffers and protectants, ensuring optimal pH levels for the mixtures.

When ticks infiltrate indoor spaces, targeted pesticide applications are essential. Apply residual insecticides to cracks, baseboards and areas near animal bedding to eliminate hidden ticks. Also, treat animal resting areas and ensure bedding is replaced after application to prevent re-infestation.

Effective tick management in animal facilities requires a comprehensive approach, combining habitat control, exclusion, treatment and monitoring.

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from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2025/03/03/3-components-of-integrated-tick-management-at-animal-facilities/
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