A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Ottawa has revealed that by applying woodchips to woodland trails, local tick populations can be significantly reduced. This simple method offers a low-tech solution to lower the risk of tick bites, including the transmission of Lyme disease, for individuals walking in forested areas.
The research team selected two locations within Ottawa’s Greenbelt for their study: the Mer Bleue sector in the east and the Stony Swamp sector in the west. Across 20 trail sections, each measuring 50 meters in length, the team utilized untreated woodchips and woodchips treated with deltamethrin, a pesticide.
Results indicated a substantial decrease in tick numbers with the use of untreated woodchips, leading to a 50% reduction, while the application of deltamethrin-treated woodchips resulted in a remarkable 99% decrease in tick populations, as stated by Katarina Ost, a member of the research team.
Woodchips serve as an effective deterrent against ticks, as these small parasitic arachnids typically climb vegetation, such as grass, to attach themselves to hikers or pets. By placing woodchips on trails, the growth of vegetation necessary for ticks to climb is impeded.
Ost emphasized that trails with high tick density and usage are particularly suitable for implementing this method on a larger scale. She also highlighted that deltamethrin, the pesticide used, does not pose a threat to pets walking on the wood chips, as it remains stationary once adhered to a surface.
To prevent tick bites in residential areas, the federal government recommends creating a barrier of wood chips, mulch, or gravel around lawns to create an environment unsuitable for ticks. Dr. Christopher Labos from McGill University stressed the importance of controlling tick populations to limit the spread of tick-borne diseases, similar to how malaria has been effectively managed by targeting insect populations.
While reducing tick numbers through woodchips may offer promise in lowering Lyme disease cases, further studies are needed to establish a direct correlation. Labos suggested that proving the effectiveness of reducing ticks in preventing Lyme disease would be a significant medical accomplishment.