EVALUATION OF D-ALLETHRIN IN THE THERMACELL MOSqUITO REPELLENT DEVICE AGAINST THE LONE STAR TICK UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Abstract

D-allethrin vapor generated from a personal mosquito repellent device (Thermacell MR300) was evaluated for its effectiveness to repel the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (adults and nymphs) when released at tick body level in a wind tunnel and in an olfactometer. In the wind tunnel 48.5% of ticks moved upwind when only attractant lure was present, while only 30.8% moved upwind when d-allethrin repellent was present with the lure. In the olfactometer strong repellency of d-allethrin vapor to adults was observed, but the effect was reduced with nymphs. Results of this study showed that d-allethrin vapor generated by the Thermacell MR300 pad could be used to reduce movement of ticks towards a host under some conditions.