FUNGUS fun·gus | \ ˈfəŋ-gəs , plural fungi\ ˈfən-ˌjī
A fungus: a spore-producing organism belonging to the Kingdom Fungi. Some examples of fungi include molds, rusts, yeasts, and mushrooms. Some fungi have pesticidal properties and one fungal species in particular has been shown to kill blacklegged ticks. |
The fungus species Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52 is a naturally occurring organism that has tick-killing properties.
How it works: Fungal spores kill ticks by growing on the outside of the tick and breaking open its exoskeleton. EPA Registered: YES Pros: Has fewer non-target effects on invertebrates than pyrethroids and pyrethrins (unlikely to harm beneficial bees or earthworms). Low possibility of harmful effects to mammals and birds. Naturally occurring. Cons: Must apply often. Effectiveness of the fungus may be affected by storage temperatures and environmental conditions. More expensive than some other tick-killing pesticides. Common commercial products containing M. anispoliae F52: Met52 EC. |
References and additional resources:
Bharadwaj, A., and K. C. Stafford. 2010. Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) for control of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). J. Med. Entomol 47: 862–867.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) natural tick repellents and pesticides (https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/natural-repellents.html)
NPIC biopesticide information (http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/biopest.html)
EPA Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52 (029056) Biopesticide Fact Sheet
EPA biopesticide information (https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/what-are-biopesticides)
WCSU Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory, unpublished data, 2019.
Bharadwaj, A., and K. C. Stafford. 2010. Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) for control of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae). J. Med. Entomol 47: 862–867.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) natural tick repellents and pesticides (https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/natural-repellents.html)
NPIC biopesticide information (http://npic.orst.edu/ingred/ptype/biopest.html)
EPA Metarhizium anisopliae strain F52 (029056) Biopesticide Fact Sheet
EPA biopesticide information (https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/what-are-biopesticides)
WCSU Tickborne Disease Prevention Laboratory, unpublished data, 2019.
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