A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Ottawa has revealed that the application of woodchips on trails in woodland areas can significantly decrease local tick populations.
This study proposes a simple yet effective solution to lower the risk of tick bites, including the transmission of Lyme disease, for individuals walking in wooded areas.
The research team selected two locations within Ottawa’s Greenbelt: the Mer Bleue sector in the east and the Stony Swamp sector in the west.
Across 20 trail segments, each 50 meters in length, the researchers applied either untreated woodchips or woodchips treated with the pesticide deltamethrin.
The findings indicated that using untreated woodchips led to a 50% reduction in tick numbers, while the application of woodchips treated with the pesticide resulted in a 99% decrease in tick populations, as stated by Katarina Ost, a team member.
Ost shared insights from the study, stating, “We gained valuable insights from this research,” during an interview with CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning.
UOttawa researcher Katarina Ost explains how they tested the materials on Ottawa-area trails.
Effectiveness of Woodchips
Woodchips are effective in deterring ticks since these parasitic arachnids usually climb vegetation, such as grass, to reach hikers or their pets, explained Ost. Placing woodchips on trails hinders the growth of the vegetation ticks rely on for climbing.
Ost emphasized, “Specific trail types are necessary for this method,” and suggested that “widely used trails with high tick density are ideal for implementing this approach on a larger scale.”
Regarding the enhanced impact of the pesticide, Ost noted that it was not surprising. She clarified that deltamethrin does not pose a threat to pets walking on wood chips since the pesticide remains stationary once adhered to a surface.
For tick bite prevention in residential areas, the federal government recommends creating a barrier of wood chips, mulch, or gravel around lawns to eliminate tick habitats.
Dr. Christopher Labos, an epidemiologist at McGill University, emphasized that controlling ticks