SPLAT TK: Semiochemical Control of the Deer Tick

Ixodes scapularis is a species of tick, commonly referred to as deer tick, it is of major medical and veterinary significance throughout the northeastern United States due to its capacity to transmit tick borne diseases like Lyme disease and several other zoonotic pathogens. The increasing incidence of transmission of these tick-borne disease, in both animals and humans necessitates a control product to manage deer ticks before they are able to harm both animal and human populations. ISCA Technologies will research and develop SPLAT® TK an attract and kill (A&K) formulation designed to target all active stages of the deer tick. Attraction to SPLAT TK blended with an acaricide component will result in the death or significant debilitation of questing (human or animal seeking) ticks within the area of treatment.Following the optimization of the SPLAT TK product in a laboratory setting, small scale field trials in areas with a high density of deer ticks will be conducted with prototype SPLAT TK formulations. Deer tick surveillance will be employed during the field trial to determine the presence or absence of deer ticks following SPLAT TK treatments and compared to an untreated area. If fewer ticks are observed in the SPLAT TK areas then will suggest that the SPLAT TK treatments are negatively affecting the deer tick population. These results will then be published and presented at various pest control meetings and in particular revealed to vector control agencies.This project hopes to not only to safeguard the health of human and animal residents of our nation's rural communities, but also to expand opportunities for economic growth within these communities by bolstering such industries as rural tourism, camping, hiking, fishing, and agri-tourism, all of which are currently hampered by the lack of viable control options for disease-carrying ticks. This innovative, effective, and environmentally-sustainable approach to tick control will be developed for application in livestock, consumer, public health, parks and recreation, and forestry pest management programs.