Is it possible to effectively reduce the risk of exposure to ticks during walks? Recent research by Canadian scientists suggests that in addition to using repellants and wearing long clothes, what is right around us also plays a key role. They discovered that ordinary wood chips can significantly reduce the occurrence of ticks.
- Wood chips on sidewalks can effectively limit ticks.
- A significant decrease occurred when the chip was treated with an insecticide, which reduced the number of ticks and nymphs by up to 99%.
- Untreated natural wood chips reduced the tick population by approximately half.
Field research was conducted in the vicinity of the Canadian city of Ottawa, where ticks carrying Lyme disease are common. The researchers focused on the edges of sidewalks because that’s where people most often come into contact with vegetation, in which these parasites can get caught on clothing or skin.
The study compared two types of barriers along sidewalks—untreated wood chips and wood chips impregnated with deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide.. The results showed that the treated material reduced the number of adult ticks and nymphs by up to 99% over two seasons. Natural wood chips also had positive effects, but to a lesser extent, while the number of ticks decreased by approximately 48%. Experts emphasized that it was the insecticide that was decisive, not the chip itself.
Wood chips significantly reduced the number of ticks. (illustrative photo)
Source:
iStock
While a 99% reduction in ticks is impressive, it doesn’t mean the risk is completely eliminated. The researchers caution that these results apply specifically to certain locations along trails, not to entire recreation areas. However, they acknowledged that lower numbers of adult ticks and nymphs in these zones may actually reduce the likelihood of being bitten..
Despite these findings, it is still important to take precautions against ticks. These include:
- covering exposed skin,
- use of repellents,
- a thorough body check after a walk,
- immediate removal of attached ticks.
You must protect yourself effectively from ticks. (illustrative photo)
Source:
iStock
Experts also stress that the use of wood chips treated with insecticide may not be as effective in private gardens or yards.. Its success depends on factors such as moisture, shade, grass height and the presence of tick-carrying animals. Therefore, to achieve the best results, they recommend combining multiple strategies, such as clearing brush and using personal protective measures.
Deltamethrin itself, which effectively kills ticks, can also be problematic. Its application requires extreme caution and should be part of professional site management by trained personnel or park management. The World Health Organization (WHO) explained that safety depends on dosage and level of exposure. Based on this, wood chips treated with insecticide should not replace repellents and should be used in households under the supervision of an expert.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
