Ticks – are insects that are part of the class Arachnida, together with mites from the Acari subclass. They are external parasites, which feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They have four stages of development: egg, larva, nymph, and adult.

Ticks do not possess highly developed mechanisms for analyzing their environment, but they can easily detect warm-blooded creatures around them, based on body heat, certain odors that they emit, or certain vibrations. Most often, ticks attach to the host by climbing on them from the grass.

Ticks – Lawn infestation

Usually, there are two ways in which ticks can infest the lawn/grass in the yard. They can infiltrate the area through animals (about 80-90% of cases – dogs, cats, but also rodents, birds) or carry by the wind (about 10-20% of cases).

Because the main way ticks can infest a space is through animals, as a method of prevention, it is recommended to treat or protect pets with specific products. These will be applied regularly based on the recommendation of the veterinarian (insecticides for veterinary use, insecticide collar belt, etc.). Without these means of protection, ticks can attach to the animal, feed (and transmit specific diseases), then detach, hiding in the grass.

PEST CONTROL FOR HOUSEHOLD PETS

For the treatment of pets, there are several types of products available: drops against fleas and ticks, spray products for fleas and ticks, insecticides for bathing animals, and special collars. When choosing a treatment, the recommendations of the veterinarian should be taken into account.

!!! Surface insecticides will not be used for bathing animals (dogs, cats, etc.)

Recommended insecticides for getting rid of the ticks on animals:

They are concentrated solutions used against ectoparasites that affect pets (dogs and cats). It is important to mention that, when choosing an appropriate treatment to control ticks present on pets, their species, age, weight, and health should be taken into account, following the recommendations on the label of the chosen products.

Treatments for outside tick control

Disinfections for tick control can be performed from March to April if temperatures during the day exceed 15 – 20 ° C and until the end of September or even October. Depending on environmental factors and the degree of the infestation, it is recommended to repeat the treatment at an interval of between 3 weeks to 2 months. There are also cases where, if the degree of infestation is high, it is necessary to repeat the treatments at a shorter interval. For the control of ticks, spray insecticide treatments are carried out.

It is recommended that treatments for outside tick control can be performed from the first signs of their presence. For the treatment to be as effective as possible, it is advisable to consider several aspects of these insects.

Usually, ticks hide at the base of the grass, and to be removed, the applied product must come into direct contact with them.

Thus, it is indicated that, when applying the treatment, the grass should be cut very short (2-3 cm), and the application should be done as close as possible to the ground so that the insecticide solution reaches the area where ticks are present. To achieve this, the lance of the spraying equipment should be at a maximum of 10 cm from the ground. This will produce a puddle-like effect at the base of the blade of grass, which will cause the product to come into direct contact with the pests.

Ticks – Choosing the equipment

For increased treatment efficiency, it is recommended that the application be done using high power equipment (eg, atomizer or back sprayer). For this, the lance of the equipment must be kept perpendicular to the ground, to affect hidden pests. Application with hot mist or cold mist generators does not provide the same results, because the sprayed particles are smaller in size and do not settle on the ground.

If removing the vegetation is not possible, there is also the option of treatment using an atomizer. It is recommended that the lance of the device be directed at 45 ° to the ground and set at maximum power to facilitate the penetration of the solution through the vegetation.

It is important to mention that the effectiveness of an outdoor treatment is influenced by the environmental conditions, more precisely, chances of precipitation, high temperatures, excess dew, sun rays, abundant or high-growing vegetation, etc. Thus, the treatments applied on the outside do not ensure a lasting remnant effect.

After application, the insecticide product must be allowed to produce a biocidal effect for a certain period (depending on the specifications on the label), for it to remain where it is applied and eliminate any pests that come into contact with it. It is also advised to avoid watering the lawn for the next few hours, so as not to diminish the effectiveness of the product.

During the application of the treatment as well as in the following hours (until the applied solution dries) it is indicated that animals or humans do not enter into the treated space.

Applying treatments for tick control

It is recommended that the treatments be performed by specialized pest control operators, to minimize the related risks. It is also advised to read the label of the products before use. The product label mentions the risk and dangers that must be taken into account and taken care of before using the product, as well as the instructions and dosages for use.

The application of the working substance (concentrated insecticide product + water) on the surface depends on the application rate, as well as on the equipment used. The specialized practice recommends an application of 5 liters of working substance / 100 sqm. However, to determine the necessary application rates, the following steps can be taken:

  – add 2 liters of water into the spraying equipment (without adding insecticide);

  – start the application at a normal rate, as if an insecticide was applied;

  – after finishing the two liters, the covered surface is measured, thus revealing the application rate;

  – if, for example, the 2 liters covered 40 sqm, then the rate is as described above, namely 5 liters of working substance / 100 sqm;

  – if you apply more slowly, or if the nozzle of the equipment is larger and the covered area is smaller (for example, 25 sqm), take into account this detail for the dilution of the product, which will have to be higher;

  – if you apply faster (for example, 50 sqm with 2 liters), the dilution must be lower.

What is important is that the exact amount of active substance indicated by the manufacturer reaches the surface to be treated. The volume of water is variable and less important when it comes to biocidal activity. It serves as a support unit in determining the application rate.

Regarding the products used for tick control, following complex studies and practical tests, insecticides based on cypermethrin, permethrin, deltamethrin as active substances have proven their effectiveness.

Recommended insecticides for tick control:

They are biocidal substances used for treatments against harmful insects, most of them working on contact or ingestion, and affecting the insect’s nervous system. The active substances found in insecticides can vary. The solution is applied by spraying, as close to the ground as possible (because the ticks are hidden at the base of the grass). To facilitate the contact of the solution with them, it is recommended that the grass be cut as short as possible (2-3 cm).

Recommended sprayers for the application of insecticides:

Sprayers are low-pressure applicators, which are used for the application of pesticides using precise dosing. Their capacity varies depending on the type of device, the design, the application method (manual and/or motorized), and the size of the treated space. Special attention must be paid to the settings of the device, as well as to its maintenance.

Recommended atomizers for the application of insecticides:

The atomizer is a gasoline-powered spray gun. It has a higher spray rate than ordinary application devices, so it is used especially for outdoor treatments for direct application to vegetation.

Treatments for indoor tick control

Ticks do not travel very long distances, but they can penetrate indoor spaces, generally through pets. Therefore, if you have noticed their presence, before carrying out treatments for the treatment of the space, it is recommended to check and treat the pets (with insecticides for veterinary use). Products intended for surface application must not be used for the treatment of pets.

It is recommended that control treatments be performed from the first signs of their presence because, depending on the degree of the infestation, total control may become more expensive and will require a longer period of time. Choosing the right treatment, alternating products with different modes of action, in addition to certain control methods, has the role of preventing a re-infestation.

Indoors, it is recommended to apply insecticides by spraying.

Recommended insecticides for tick control:

They are biocidal substances used for treatments against harmful insects, most of them acting through contact or ingestion, and affecting the insect’s nervous system. The active substances in insecticides can vary. The solution is applied by spraying, especially in areas where pets spend time, on the entire surface of the floor and on the walls, up to a height of approximately 30 – 50 cm, depending on the recommendations on the label of the chosen products.

A very important aspect to keep in mind when carrying out indoor insect control treatments is that they tend to climb upwards in search of a host, so it is important to apply solutions behind and even in every corner of the furniture. The treatments can be repeated according to the specifications on the label of the products used, until the final inspection.

Protective equipment

Safety equipment has the role of protecting the person performing the disinsection treatments. To avoid inhalation of vapors created during spraying or direct contact with applied substances, it is recommended to wear complete protective equipment. This includes hooded protective coveralls, gas masks with filters, chemical protection gloves, rubber boots, or waterproof footwear, as appropriate.

Recommended protective equipment:

Protective equipment has the role of protecting the person performing the treatments from dangerous substances. This category includes protective gloves, coveralls, masks, etc. The equipment is chosen depending on the type of treatment, as well as the substances used or the targeted pest.

• Chemical suit with hood

• Protective gloves

• Gas masks, glasses

For more effective control of ticks, it is recommended to perform specific treatments, depending on the space in which they are present (indoor/outdoor), repeat treatments (according to the recommendations on the label), product alternation with different modes of action, pet monitoring and pet disinsection.