Mechanical Acaricides Active against the Blacklegged Tick, Ixodes scapularis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged tick or deer tick, is the vector of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease in humans, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Synthetic chemical pesticides are used to control ticks. Environmentally friendly, new methods are needed to manage chemical pesticide resistance. We evaluated the efficacy of the industrial mineral, Celite 610, an amorphous silica, against unfed I. scapularis nymphs. Celite is found in nature and has a mechanical, non-toxic mode of action. Dipping ticks into Celite for 1–2 s resulted in 90% mortality in as little as 69 min. Scanning electron microscopy suggested that one mode of action could be the physical obstruction of respiration. We developed another industrial mineral made from volcanic glass, Imergard(TM) WP, for mosquito and filth fly control. In studies here, Imergard had similar activity as Celite against the deer tick. This research, although needing further study, suggests that industrial minerals could be a new, safe (“found in toothpaste”) and persistent (“it’s rock”) alternative to chemical pesticides to control ticks. ABSTRACT: Cases of Lyme disease in humans are on the rise in the United States and Canada. The vector of the bacteria that causes this disease is the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. Current control methods for I. scapularis mainly involve chemical acaricides. Unfortunately, ticks are developing resistance to these chemicals, and more and more, the public prefers non-toxic alternatives to chemical pesticides. We discovered that volcanic glass, Imergard(TM) WP, and other industrial minerals such as Celite 610 were efficacious mechanical insecticides against mosquitoes, filth flies, and agricultural pests. In this report, when 6–10- and 50–70-day old unfed I. scapularis nymphs were dipped for 1–2 s into Celite, the time to 50% mortality (LT(50)) was 66.8 and 81.7 min, respectively, at 30 °C and 50% relative humidity (RH). The LT(50) was actually shorter at a higher 70% RH, 43.8 min. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the ticks were coated over most of their body surface, including partial to almost total coverage of the opening to their respiratory system. The other mechanical insecticide, Imergard, had similar efficacy against blacklegged unfed nymphs with an LT(50) at 30 °C and 50% RH of 70.4 min. Although more research is needed, this study suggests that industrial minerals could be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides to control ticks and Lyme disease.