A low‐pressure compressed air insecticide applicator to manage plague on prairie dog colonies using all‐terrain vehicles

Abstract

AbstractVector control is an important tool for plague management in native wildlife such as prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) and black‐footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes). Given the success of previous prototype high‐pressure air (HPA) dusters, we developed a low‐pressure air (LPA) duster that can be mounted on and powered via all‐terrain vehicle (ATV). We describe the duster prototype and compare performance to commercially available dusters and previous high‐pressure air dusters. In 2021, we infused 0.05% deltamethrin (dust) into black‐tailed prairie dogs burrows (C. ludovicianus) in Larimer County, Colorado. We then captured prairie dogs and compared flea abundance and prevalence on a site dusted with prototype LPA dusters to a non‐dusted site. The mean amount of dust (g) dispensed per burrow was higher using the LPA duster ( = 6.37, 95% CI = 6.24–6.50) from ATVs when compared to HPA prototypes ( = 5.39, 95% CI = 5.27–5.52, P ≤ 0.01) and the commercial dusters used previously ( = 5.29, 95% CI = 5.05–5.50). Low‐pressure air and HPA dusters had shorter operating time than the commercial dusters (1 second per burrow versus = 7.69, 95% CI = 7.42–7.95, P ≤ 0.01). Mean flea abundance and prevalence of flea infestation in 2021 was lower on the site dusted with prototype LPA dusters ( = 0.13 fleas, 95% CI = 0.00–0.31, prevalence = 0.065) than on a non‐dusted site ( = 8.61 fleas, 95% CI = 6.05–11.17, P ≤ 0.01, prevalence = 1.0). The LPA dusters offer several advantages over previous duster designs, including continuously generated low‐pressure compressed air, a durable build, and efficient operation from ATVs. Future work should focus on calibration at higher doses of dust and assessment of larger air tanks and more durable fuse systems. Accurate and efficient equipment along with quality control monitoring are vital to the ongoing success of vector control as a plague management tool.