Wildlife Effects of DDT Dust Used for Tick Control on a Texas Prairie

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Abstract
Effects of DDT on birds and mammals were studied in connection with dusting of a 206.6-acre square at Camp Bullis, (18 mi. n.-w. of San Antonio) for exptl. control of lone star ticks. Vegetation of the plot was about 70% ungrazed tall-grass prairie, about 30% clumps of trees and shrubs. A 10% DDT dust was applied July 16-19, 1947, at an avg. rate of 4.4 lbs. of DDT per acre. The actual amt. deposited varied locally. Much dust was washed to ground by heavy rain on night of July 18-19. DDT severely affected ground-and bush-feeding birds. It nearly or entirely eliminated cardinals, lark sparrows, field sparrows, Bewick''s wrens, Carolina wrens, Kentucky warblers, yellow-breasted chats, blue grosbeaks and painted buntings. Birds reduced in numbers to a lesser degree were yellow-billed cuckoos, black and white warblers, yellow-throated vireos and white-eyed vireos. Fifteen dead birds were found in treated area. Bird mortality had begun by day after dusting and was largely over by end of 5th day. Deer were abundant, but apparently were not affected. Data on raccoons, skunks, armadillos, rabbits and other mammals were inadequate, but did not demonstrate DDT damage. Four rough green snakes and a spiny lizard (Sceloporvs olivaceus) were found dead. Many insectivorous reptiles were probably killed.

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