I live on 24 acres in Arkansas in the woods. Ticks are a problem here. Deer in the yard all the time. I have sprayed gallons of Bifentherin in the past with decent results but really hate that method because of other species that are affected.
I had a patient tell me that he began to mix Ivermectin pour on in deer corn at 1/3 cup per 40lb bag and has had a huge decrease in ticks on his property. I researched it and there are several peer-reviewed studies that show it is effective in reducing tick populations in the 90% range.
I started doing it last year later on in the year and had a good reduction in my tick population. Early spring is really bad here so I just started up again after deer season ended so it wouldn't end up in the meat.
Here are the studies:
https://academic.oup.com/jme/article...77?login=false
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8667385/
And the relevant parts of them:
"Control values that were calculated for all ticks collected in both pastures during 1993 showed 83.4% fewer adults, 92.4% fewer nymphs and 100.0% fewer larval masses in the treatment versus control pasture."
Regarding using Pour-on:
"Because it is meant for external pour-on application to cattle, Cydectin contains naphtha petroleum, a light aromatic solvent that helps the product spread and adhere to the animal, providing some protection from the elements as it penetrates the skin and systemically translocates. As a result, we thought the scent of petroleum might be off-putting to white-tailed deer, so we decided first to perform a rudimentary taste test in which we placed several piles of Cydectin Pour-On-treated corn on the ground next to paired piles treated with the less offensive-smelling Cydectin Oral Drench for sheep. Corn treated with Cydectin Oral Drench for sheep remained largely untouched by wild white-tailed deer while the Cydectin Pour-On-treated corn was consumed. As a result, a more rigorous feeding trial with the Pour-On formulation was warranted."
From the study:
Deer ear after 27 days of Ivermectin corn:
No Ivermectin in corn 0%:
I have a bottle I measured and marked for 1/3 cup
Attachment 324436
I tried a paint mixer on my drill but found it easier just to use my hands to mix it with dishwashing gloves
Attachment 324437
My feeder hangs from a cable I threw over a limb. I fill it from my truck bed. Feeds at 6:30 AM/PM
Attachment 324438
Deer sampling my wares last night.
Attachment 324439
Last year after feeding for several weeks I walked thru my field and had zero ticks on me. I did not spray any poison last year and it was still the most tick-free year I had spent living here for the last 24 years. This spring will really be the test of this. Last year I had ticks crawling over rubber boots saturated in high% Deet before I started feeding Ivermectin treated corn.
When it was approaching deer season last year I switched feeding to Cydectin which the FDA states does not require time to leave the animal before consumption of the meat or milk. It is more expensive though so I may just stop feeding Ivermectin this year 3 weeks before deer season.