Control of the American Dog Tick, a Vector of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Preliminary Tests

Abstract
Since 1924 there have been 82 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in a single New York county located on Long Island. Since most cases occurred in recent yrs. and a high mortality rate prevailed, control methods for the vector, the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, were urgently needed. The details of preliminary control expts. and techniques are given. A soln. of 0.25% DDT plus 0.0625% pyrethrins, used at a rate equivalent to 2 quarts per acre, gave good control. Application of this or similar formulae, as thermal aerosols or sprays from air-borne and ground-operated generators, is proposed.

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