The ‘4-Poster’ Passive Topical Treatment Device to Apply Acaricide for Controlling Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Feeding on White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

A '4-poster' device that attracts white-tailed deer to a bait source, and as they feed, allows a self-application of a pesticide to the head, ears, and neck to control ticks was designed, constructed, and tested. The device consists of a central bin containing bait to attract deer and two feeding and application stations. These stations each have one bait port and two vertical pesticide-impregnated applicator rollers. This design allows unrestricted vertical retraction of the head to minimize injury to the deer or damage to the posts supporting the pesticide application rollers. Observations using deer demonstrated ready acceptance and repeated use by both antlered and antlerless deer. Results of an initial trial indicate that control values for lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L.), exceeded 92-97% on deer that used the device regularly.

Molecular identification of Ehrlichia species and host bloodmeal source in Amblyomma americanum L. from two locations in Tennessee, United States

“…After acquiring the bacteria and an adequate bloodmeal, an infected larval or nymphal tick falls off of the host and molts into the next life stage when it will once again feed and potentially transmit the pathogen to a susceptible wildlife host or human host. One method to reducing the risk of tick-borne disease is to employ 'host-targeted' measures such as acaricide application (Pound et al, 2000) that could reduce overall tick abundance and/or reduce the probability of ticks feeding successfully on infected hosts. The latter approach will be most efficient if there are only a small number of key wildlife reservoir species for the pathogens of concern.…”

Efficacy of Amitraz Applied to White-Tailed Deer by the ‘4-Poster’ Topical Treatment Device in Controlling Free-Living Lone Star Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…However, a systemic acaricide perhaps could be used to control the spring cohort of adults after close of the hunting season. As an alternative to the use of a systemic acaricide, Pound et al (1994Pound et al ( , 2000 developed, constructed, and patented the Ô4-posterÕ topical treatment device that passively applies acaricide to the head, neck, and ears of deer as they feed from the device. If the efÞcacy of such a device were sufÞcient to signiÞcantly reduce free-living populations of ticks by using an acaricide that could be registered for use without a withdrawal period between treatment and slaughter, then perhaps the device could be used to control adult blacklegged ticks that feed on deer during the hunting This article represents the results of research only.…”

Testing a molasses-based bait for oral vaccination of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) against Mycobacterium bovis

“…Dry, shelled corn has been used as an attractant in a topical acaricide delivery device designed for white-tailed deer (Pound et al 2000). Commercially produced as well as homemade mineral blocks are used to attract deer for wildlife viewing or hunting purposes.…”