White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann (Artiodactyla: Cervidae), are the primary wildlife host for adult stages of blacklegged ticks (Acari: Ixodidae: Ixodes scapularis Say) and an important host for lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae: Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus), both of which are vectors of numerous tick-borne pathogens. The 4-poster passive deer treatment device is a topical, host-targeted method to control free-living tick populations and has been proven to successfully reduce tick abundance in several states. Aggressive behavior of white-tailed deer at concentrated feeding stations is hypothesized to interfere with the effective use of 4-poster devices and deer contact with acaricide applicators. We analyzed images collected by camera traps at 4-poster feeding stations deployed at 3 sites in Maryland and found a negative relationship between some aggressive interactions and contact with applicators. Our results emphasize the need for further investigation into whether deer social dynamics can impact 4-poster efficacy for tick control. This study serves as a reminder that intraspecific interactions are important to consider when using host-targeted acaricide approaches.
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10 May 2024
Aggressive interactions among white-tailed deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) at 4-poster devices for host-targeted tick control
Ningzhu Bai,
Risa Pesapane,
Erika T. Machtinger,
Andrew Y. Li
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 61 • No. 4
July 2024
Vol. 61 • No. 4
July 2024
4-poster bait station
integrated pest management
tick control
white-tailed deer