Tick Control & Management

WARNING: Be sure to read, understand, and follow all chemical product label instructions, recommendations, and safety precautions thoroughly prior to using any chemical application or treatment.

Select from tables summarizing chemicals and formulations labeled for use in the control and management of ticks on livestock and companion animals, and for premise treatment of homes, yards, stables, pastures, rangeland, and recreational areas:

Cats

Cattle

Dogs

Horses

Poultry

Sheep&Goats

Swine

Residential Premises

Overview of Tactics For Integrated Tick Control & Management

This section provides guidelines to prevent tick introductions and to control infestations using a variety of tactics that are adaptable to various landscapes, including residential homes, rangeland, parks and recreational areas, companion animals to livestock.  

Successful control of a tick population is dependent upon the effectiveness of the tactic or tactics selected, or more comprehensively, the integration of a number of tactics into a management program, or Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system.

Tactics for tick suppression can be selected to target either the on-host portion of the life cycle, the off-host portion of the life cycle, or both.  

From the backyard to large pastures or rangeland, the selection and implementation of tactics will vary depending on the premise-type and animals involved, but the principles remain the same.  

Tactics designed to minimize the risk of introducing ticks onto your property and which offer safe and effective methods of tick control include:

• Movement of infested hosts facilitates the movement of ticks from one location to another. Thus, vigilance in the detection of ticks on host animals and application of tick removal or on animal control tactics can prevent introductions into your home, yard, kennels, stables or pasture

• Inspection of yourself, companion animals, and production animals followed by appropriate action is essential to prevent introductions.  

• Design and manage landscape vegetation close to living spaces to minimize wildlife recruitment and tick habitat.

Additional non-chemical tactics to reduce the risk of tick introduction and establishment in the home environment include:

• Use fencing as needed to exclude or restrict access by stray dogs, cats, and wildlife species (e.g. deer, coyotes, raccoons, feral swine, and furbearers) onto home premises, especially when companion animals are present. Monitor fencing perimeters for breaches (e.g. gaps or holes from animal digging) that may provide wildlife egress into backyard areas.
• Restrict the use of landscaping plants around the home to those types that do not attract deer or other wild browsers (e.g. birds, rabbits, etc.) or utilize additional fencing strategies (e.g. electric “hot” wire) to deter and exclude wildlife. Consider converting irrigated yard planting areas into native plants or more dry (xeric) landscapes. Xeriscapes provide less favorable micro-habitat for off-host tick survival and are “greener”, requiring less time, labor, water and consumable energy resources to maintain.  For more information about plants and landscaping tips, contact your local Extension office. (http://www.extension.org)

• Feed outdoor pets and monitor consumption to ensure that all food is eaten by pets during daylight hours which discourages visitation by mice, rats, squirrels, birds, feral cats, opossums, raccoons and other potential wildlife tick hosts.
• Likewise, keep bird feeders in open, bare ground areas away from pet kennels and bedding and away from the home and garage/storage shop entrances.  

• Place swing sets and other playground equipment in an open yard areas away from potentially tick-infested woody vegetation and weeds. Maintain ground cover surrounding child activity areas; consider using pea gravel, recycled rubber pellets, or cedar chip mulches.
• To facilitate soil drying, remove all leaf litter and other vegetative debris as it accumulates from yard and kennel areas. Surface desiccation of soil through exposure to sun and wind creates an unfavorable tick habitat.

• Create and maintain a 3-4 ft vegetation-free border zone using mulching materials (mentioned above) around woodlot edges and landscape plantings in or adjacent to the yard.
• Prune back overhead tree branches to increase the amount of sunlight reaching the ground to “solarize” the soil and reduce the survivability of ticks.

• Regularly mow lawn grasses.
• Consider using a steam cleaner/sprayer when disinfecting pet crates and kennel housings, paying particular attention to steaming cracks and crevices in concrete slabs or pavers of outdoor kennels and along home foundations where ticks may be hiding. Boiling water can also be poured along edges of slabs and into gaps around outdoor flooring to control any residual ticks.
• Utilize non-toxic chemical alternatives in and around the home. If or when chemical control is required, treat pets or premises using the least toxic chemical response that will achieve acceptable control, especially when children are present. Successful control and management of ticks and other arthropod pests in the home environment usually requires repeated use of a combination of non-chemical and chemical treatment procedures (e.g. IPM) to achieve effective and lasting results.

Non-chemical tactics to help reduce the risk of tick introduction and establishment in livestock paddocks, pasturage, parks & recreational areas include:  

• Use a tractor drawn shredder or walk behind sickle-type mower to remove brush and weeds that may provide safety for ticks. To effectively treat larger acreages, it may be more suitable to use a mechanical or hydraulic grubber or skid-steer loader to knock down woody vegetation, and a disk or cultivator implement to remove weeds and grasses to bare ground. Prime areas to cover include grounds adjacent to fence lines, barns or stables, paddocks, pastures, and any woodlot areas with livestock. 

• In paddocks and pastures with significant woodlot acreage, use solar/battery powered electric fencing to exclude livestock egress into wooded areas. Shaded woodlots provide ticks with prime survival habitat, and may often produce mast crops in fall (e.g. acorns from oak trees, elm achenes) that attract and focus both wildlife and livestock foragers. Tilled soil areas surrounding woodlots can be seeded with ryegrass, oats or wheat to provide green forage for livestock grazing and reduce time spent roaming wooded pasturage in search of food.  

• The timely use of prescribed fire (judiciously administered by experienced natural resource professionals) can effectively reduce and control populations of some ticks and other internal parasites. Slow moving prescribed burns (e.g. backfires) performed under adequate fuel loads and environmental conditions, generate temperatures sufficient to kill or physically damage ticks and other parasites on rangelands and improved pastures. The benefits of initial tick reduction extend beyond the acute impact of burning, as fire also removes the leaf litter, undergrowth, and shrubby hardwood vegetation rendering the soil-vegetation interface less hospitable for off-host tick survival. Prescribed fire also hastens nutrient recycling to soil microbes, improving the productivity of top soils and resulting in increased forage availability for grazing livestock.

Chemical treatments for the control of ticks on companion animals and the home environment include:

• Control of ticks in and around the home requires attention and treatment of both the outdoor and indoor environments, as well as attention and treatment of resident dogs and cats.  It is important to recognize there are risks associated with the use of pesticides in the home environment, including risks to children and companion animals.  Further, home and pet owners need to recognize that some pesticides approved for use on dogs should not be used on cats.  For example, products containing permethrin recommended for dogs should not be used on cats, and may be lethal.  Apply products only in accordance with the label and safety instructions, or consult your veterinarian.

• For outdoor environments spray or dust borders, pet kennels, and pet resting areas with approved products formulated as a dust, a pre-formulated ready-to-use spray, or mixed and applied using a pump sprayer.  Always read, understand, and follow all chemical product label instructions and safety precautions prior to opening and applying any chemical products in or around your home, or contact a certified pest management professional to provide these services.
  
  

• Spray or dust yard borders and pet kennel areas with permethrin, either as a dust, a pre-formulated ready-to-use spray, or mixed and applied using a pump sprayer. Permethrin is a synthetic compound derived from pyrethrins, a natural chemical insecticide produced by flowers of some species of Chysanthemum. Synthetic pyrethrins (e.g. permethrin 10%) provide effective yet low-toxic control of ticks and other household arthropod pests. Following application, these substances break down rapidly within the home and yard environment. Remember to read, understand, and follow all chemical product label instructions and safety precautions prior to opening and applying any chemical products in or around your home, or contact a certified pest control operator (PCO) to provide these services.

Refer to chemical formulation tables for guidance to active ingredients, formulations, and application to dogs [icon], cats [icon], and home [icon].

Chemical treatments for the control of ticks on livestock, equines, poultry, and premises:

• The selection of tick control products requires several important considerations.  The tables contained in this APP are intended to serve only as a guide to the commonly available active ingredients, formulations and applications for the control of ticks on animals.  Factors that may influence selection of a product include whether the tick infestation is localized to the ears and/or head region, or is generalized to the body with ticks attached to the belly, legs, udder/scrotal, and tail-head areas.   For example, several tick species prefer to attach to the ears, such as the Gulf Coast tick, and can be controlled with pesticide impregnated ear tags for cattle, however these products would obviously be inappropriate for horses thus an alternative application appropriate to these animals is indicated.  Before purchasing any product, read the label carefully to determine whether the product is appropriate for the animal and for the tick infestation.  Pay particular attention to all instructions for application and safety, and to any requirements for withdrawal periods associated with food animals.   Use the product only in accordance with labeled and safety instructions.
• The timely application of herbicides to remove unwanted or evasive woody and herbaceous vegetation effectively control the off-host survival of several tick life-stages. Hand or pump sprayers using selective herbicides are generally effective for home yard perimeters and spot treatments of undergrowth and brush. In rural or agricultural settings, pressure and boom sprayers on tractors or ATVs are commonly used to reduce brush and herbaceous vegetation in fields and pastures, and around barns, out-buildings, and fence-lines.  

Aerial applications of herbicides for vegetation removal are typically very expensive, and are normally reserved for use in reducing over-story canopy on large acre tracts of forested woodlots, rangelands, and pasturage.  

Commercial acaricide products are available with a variety of active ingredients formulated for specific applications to control ticks.

Be sure to read, understand, and follow all chemical product label instructions, recommendations, and safety precautions thoroughly prior to using any chemical application or treatment.  

Tables summarizing chemicals and formulations labeled for use in the control and management of ticks on livestock and companion animals, and for premise treatment of homes, yards, stables, pastures, rangeland, and recreational areas:

Cats (in/out doors):

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate	Spray (ready-to-use)	For use on cats 12+ wks, bedding, and on nursing animals
Etofenprox	Spot-on	For kittens/cats 12 wks +
Fipronil	Spot-on Spray (ready-to-use)	Use monthly for best control Mist entire hair-coat until damp/wet
Pyrethrins	Dip, Powder, Spot-on, Spray	For kittens/cats 12 wks +
Selamectin	Spot-on	For kittens/cats 8 wks +
Tetrachlorvinphos	Collar, Dip	Avoid using on cats near children

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Cattle (beef & dairy)

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Abamectin	Ear tag	Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle
Amitraz	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Spray dip machine	Saturate skin w/2 gal. spray/animal Spray/dip until skin is saturated
Chlorpyriphos	Ear tag	Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle
Coumaphos	Dusting powder Ear tag Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Suspend dust bags where cows loaf Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle
beta-Cyfluthrin	Ear tag	One tag in both ears for all cattle
Diazinon	Ear tag	Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Backrubber Ear tag Emulsifiable concentrate spray Pour-on Spray (ready-to-use)	Spray onto ticks in/outside ear Keep applicator fully charged One tag in both ears for all cattle Wash udders before milking Head, neck & along top-line No dilution required for use
Phosmet	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Beef & non-lactating dairy cattle
Tetrachlorvinphos	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Beef cattle & lactating dairy cattle
	Wettable powder (spray)	Beef cattle, spray ½-1 gal/animal
Zeta-cypermethrin	Dusting powder	Dust bags, shaker cans for all cattle

 

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Dogs (in/out doors)

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Amitraz	Collar	Avoid using on dogs near children
Dichlorvos	Collar	Avoid using on dogs near children
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate	Spray (ready-to-use)	For use on dogs 12+ wks old, bedding, and nursing animals
Fipronil	Spot-on Spray (ready-to-use)	Use monthly for best control Mist entire hair-coat until damp/wet
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Dip Dusting powder Emulsifiable concentrate spray Spot-on Spray (ready-to-use)	Spray directly onto ticks for control For use on puppies/dogs 12 wks + Use gloves; rub into coat/onto skin For use on puppies/dogs 12 wks + For use on puppies/dogs 7 wks + Use gloves; wet hair-coat to skin
Propoxur	Collar	Avoid using on dogs near children
Pyrethrins	Dip, Shampoo, Spray, Spot-on	For use on puppies/dogs 12 wks +
Selamectin	Spot-on	For puppies & dogs 6 wks +
Tetrachlorvinphos	Collar	Avoid using on dogs near children

   

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Equids (horses, mules & donkeys)

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Coumaphos	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	No horses destined for slaughter
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Backrubber Dip (hand soak or sponge) Emulsifiable concentrate spray Garment/cover Pour-on Spot-on Spray (ready-to-use) Wipe-on	Spray onto ticks in/outside ear Keep applicator fully charged Wet to skin; drip dry; avoid face Spot treat back-tail-legs-mane-ears Leg/blanket covering deterent Safe for lactating mares and foals Safe for foals older than 3 mo. Spot treat legs, tail, mane & ears Use mitt; don’t use on foals < 3 mo.
Zeta-cypermethrin	Dusting powder	Dust bags, gloves, and shaker cans

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Poultry

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Permethrin	Dip wash Emulsifiable concentrate spray Spray (ready-to-use)	Wet feathers through to skin/air dry Spray/soak plumage, skin, and vent Spot treat legs, tail, wings & comb

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Sheep & Goats

 

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Deltamethrin	Spot-on	Back/shoulders for animals > 1 mo.
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Backrubber Dip vat Dip (hand soak or sponge) Emulsifiable concentrate spray Pour-on Spray (ready-to-use)	Spray onto ticks in/outside ear Keep applicator fully charged Wet fleece/hair-coat through to skin Wet fleece/hair-coat through to skin Repeat at 2 wk intervals/as needed Head, neck, and along top-line Spot treat; spray directly onto ticks
Zeta-cypermethrin	Dusting powder	Dust bags, gloves, and shaker cans

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Swine

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Permethrin	Dip, sponge, spray	No treatments 1 wk before shipping

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Premises- Residential, Commercial, Recreational (homes, yards, kennels, parks, woodlots)

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Bifenthrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Granules	Lawns, patios, slabs, landscaping Parks, recreation areas, woodlots
Carbaryl	Dusting powder Wettable powder (spray)	Perimeters of slabs, kennels, yards Landscaping, turfgrass, woodlots
Cyfluthrin	Aerosol spray (residual) Emulsifiable concentrate spray Foam	Homes, kennels, campgrounds Kennels, cracks/crevices, flooring Kennels, cracks/crevices, flooring
beta-Cyfluthrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	In/outdoors, pet kennels & housing In/outdoors, kennels/housing, paths
lambda-Cyhalothrin	Aerosol spray Emulsifiable concentrate spray Granules Hose end sprayer (pre-mixed) Pre-measured tablets	Crack/crevice/floor spot treatment Kennels, runs, yards & perimeters Home, kennel, & yard perimeters Apply to lawn & yard perimeters Kennels, runs, yards, & vegetation
Cypermethrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	Building perimeters, porches, lawns Baseboards, slabs, kennel floors
Deltamethrin	Suspended concentrate (spray) Dusting powder Granules	Baseboards, cracks, crevices Shaker can around dwellings Perimeter broadcast a 5-10 ft swath
Esfenvalerate	Residual spray concentrate	Pet quarters/beds, cracks/crevices
Fipronil	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Kennels, runs, yards, & vegetation
Imidocloprid	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Tall grass & vegetation along paths
Methoprene	Aerosol spray	Carpets, floors, & pet resting areas
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Dusting powder Emulsifiable concentrate spray Spray (ready-to-use) Squeeze bottle	Spray directly onto ticks in/outside Kennels, dog houses, and bedding Kennels, housing, yards, perimeters Spray directly onto ticks in/outside Apply directly onto clothing
Propoxur	Aerosol spray	Cracks/crevices in homes, kennels, vet clinics, and warehouses
Pyrethrins	Aerosol spray Dusting powder Emulsifiable concentrate spray Fogger/bomb	Floors, baseboards, pet bedding Homes, kennels, cracks & crevices Residential yards, warehouses Combine use w/ on-animal control
Pyriproxyfen	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Dry prior to access by humans/pets
Tetrachlorvinphos	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	Kennels, parks, recreational areas Kennels, yards, recreational areas
Zeta-cypermethrin	Dusting powder	Dust dog kennels and housings

 
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Premises- Agricultural (barns, stables, paddocks, feedlots, pasturage & rangelands)

Active ingredient	Formulation(s)	Application
Bifenthrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Granules	Barns, out-buildings, fence rows Out-buildings, fence-lines
Carbaryl	Wettable powder (spray)	Poultry cages, housings, and roosts, pasturage, and rangelands
Cyfluthrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Cattle/swine barns, poultry houses
beta-Cyfluthrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	Livestock & poultry housings Livestock/poultry/ utility buildings
Cypermethrin	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	Out-building perimeters Out-building perimeters
Permethrin	Aerosol spray Emulsifiable concentrate spray Spray (ready-to-use) Squeeze bottle	Caging, floors, cracks/crevices Shelter housing, feedlots, paddocks Spot treatment of barns & stables Recharge protective equine covers
Pyrethrins	Dusting powder Emulsifiable concentrate spray	Animal quarters cracks/crevices Barns, poultry and swine houses
Tetrachlorvinphos	Emulsifiable concentrate spray Wettable powder (spray)	All surfaces in poultry housings Dairy barn, poultry house, swine barn walls, floors, cracks/crevices

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