Fleas, ticks, mosquitos, and pesticide resistance…. Oh my.

       A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology finds that black-legged ticks in New York are developing potential resistance to widely used tick-control insecticide, permethrin. The black-legged tick is of particular concern, as it is the carrier of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Researchers are scrambling to develop alternative control methods.  The use of natural and efficient pesticides to replace conventional pesticides, which have been in use for decades and have become non-efficient, is becoming increasingly popular amongst homeowners seeking to keep their outdoor spaces safe for their families. Permethrin, which is still the insecticide of choice for many flea, tick and mosquito companies on the Main Line of Philadelphia is classified as a "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" according to a 2006 study conduction by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).   

       As such, Champion Tree is pleased to introduce to you an all-natural, non-toxic alternative… Cedarwood oil! Found in the heartwood of Eastern redcedar and other juniper tree species, cedarwood oil is among a variety of natural products that researchers are testing in their search for effective, yet safe and sustainable alternatives to traditional pesticides. Eastern red cedars and junipers are common coniferous trees, and an abundant natural resource in the US. In fact, because of its encroachment onto grasslands, it is considered an invasive species. This means it can be harvested liberally without worrying about a detrimental environmental impact.

       The Agricultural Research Service, a division of the USDA, conducted a test to determine the effect of cedarwood oil on the black-legged tick. Researchers treated small pieces of paper with microgram amounts of cedarwood oil and placed the papers on short vertical rods. They then released the ticks and recorded what happened to them upon crawling up the rods and contacting the treated paper. Contact with the oil-treated papers repelled 80 to 94 percent of black-legged ticks. The researchers also tested the effect of cedarwood oil on the brown dog tick, American dog tick, and lone star tick, and while cedarwood oil was effective at repelling all four species of ticks, the black-legged tick was the most susceptible of the four tick species exposed to cedarwood oil in the experiments.

       Ticks are most effectively controlled with cedarwood oil in the nymph and larval stages, which peak from May through September in the Philadelphia area. In a separate study, conducted on cattle ticks, it was discovered that treatment with cedarwood oil completely stops the ability of ticks to lay eggs - an event that occurs in the spring.

       As an added bonus, cedarwood oil has been proven to kill mosquitos. With systemic resistance to pyrethrin, the most common mosquito control agent, becoming widespread as discussed in this USDA bulletin, it is becoming increasingly important for everyone to use different methods of mosquito control.

       Researchers have yet to examine the effect of cedarwood oil on fleas, but based on what is known about its ability to repel and, at higher doses, kill other arthropod pests, it can be considered effective. Contact us or call (610) 708-2339 to discuss our organic tick, mosquito and flea control programs and receive a free estimate to treat your property. For effective control, we apply Cedarwood Oil once per month from May through October to all turf, as well as the edges of your garden beds and walkways.