Aug. 15, 2023
K-State Research and Extension news service
In this video, K-State Research and Extension veterinary entomologist Cassandra Olds outlines a study that takes a look at how prescribed burning in the spring, summer or fall affects populations of ticks, horn flies and dung beetles.
“Most farmers do some form of prescribed burning,” Olds said, “so what we really are trying to do is figure out what time of year is most effective for controlling tick populations.”
Ticks are of particular importance because they consume the blood of animals they attach to, potentially transmitting pathogens.
“It seems that burning definitely impacts the overall tick population,” Olds said. “Early season data suggests that spring burning might be the most effective time to do that. The most important thing with prescribed burning is making sure you do a complete burn. So, for example, burning under a tree or anywhere there is a thicket is important to burn. That is going to be a pocket for ticks to reside, and animals tend to move to these areas because they are shaded.
Olds said spring and fall burns seem to be most effective for reducing horn fly populations. Dung beetles, a beneficial insect that Olds calls an “ecosystem warrior” due to its ability to utilize manure in the soil, seem to be least affected by prescribed burns done in the spring.
K-State Research and Extension video produced by Dan Donnert
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