Background

Mild winters and limited natural predators contribute to high white-tailed deer densities on Long Island.  Deer are the primary host of the blacklegged (‘deer’) and lone star tick.  High densities of these ticks occur on Long Island and are a human nuisance and health concern.  Traditional means of tick control have used broadcast pesticide sprays.  The 4-Poster device is a host applied tick control technology.  Deer visit the 4-Poster device to eat corn, and when feeding, the head and neck of each deer come in contact with rollers that apply a tickicide.  Subsequently, adult ticks on treated deer die, leading to a reduction in all tick stages throughout the area over time.  Because this technology applies tickicide to a very small specific location where ticks occur, it may deliver more effective tick control using a much smaller amount of tickicide than other approaches.  The Cornell study is a condition of a Special Local Needs registration for 4-Poster device use in New York State.  The study is being conducted at the request of citizens of Long Island with project goals were informed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of Health. The tickicide, permethrin, is the same chemical found in common treatments for ticks and other pests applied to clothing, crops, and livestock.

 Study Goals

Study locations for deer research and 4-Poster device use have been identified on Shelter Island and in North Haven. Devices are being deployed and tick sampling conducted on Western Fire Island. The primary objective on Shelter Island is to evaluate the effect of 4-Poster devices on tick numbers, deer density, and deer behavior.  The North Haven site will be used as a ‘control’ to compare tick populations where 4-Poster devices are not present.  In North Haven and on Shelter Island, researchers will evaluate deer movements.  On Shelter Island, we will examine deer use of 4-Poster devices, as well as the impact device placement has on surrounding vegetation and deer encounters with roads and vehicles.  In addition, we will estimate both deer and tick densities, and evaluate the ability of 4-Poster technology to reduce tick abundance.  Due to aspects of tick biology, the full impact of 4-Poster use will not be known for at least two to three years.