Canadian researchers discover tick repelling chemicals secreted by ants

Researchers from Simon Fraser University have discovered a combination of chemicals secreted by ants that were found to repel ticks. Their discovery occurred while investigating some of the natural predators to ticks – including ants.¹

Their team analyzed the chemicals and worked with chemists to create a synthetic version of this repellent. They have filed a patent for this new chemical which they hope will be made into personal and environmental tick repellants.^{2 3}

Citation

Gooding, C. E., Pinard, C., Gries, R., Devireddy, A., & Gries, G. (2024). Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, reduce predation risk by eavesdropping on communication signals of Formica oreas thatching ants. Royal Society Open Science, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231355 (Original work published January 1, 2024)

1. Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, reduce predation risk by eavesdropping on communication signals of Formica oreas thatching ants
2.  Ant pheromones may help protect hikers and campers from ticks
3. Photo by Tobias Hays.