Clearing the Way: Controlling Ticks Starts with Buffalo Turbine
Research Finds Leaf Blowing Effective for Tick Control
Ticks are more than a nuisance—they carry serious illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. A recent study at Natco Lake Park in New Jersey tested four trail maintenance strategies—mowing only, leaf blowing only, mowing + blowing, and no maintenance—to evaluate their impact on tick populations.
The results were unequivocal: leaf blowing alone reduced ticks by 70–80%, outperforming all other methods.
*Parks & Recreation Article: “Tick Control: Leaf Blowing” – Ecologists collect ticks to evaluate control strategies.
Let’s Talk Real-World Application
The study recommends a monthly trail-blowing regimen (outside bird-nesting season), paired with periodic trimming and visitor education. This makes choosing the right blower essential—it must be powerful enough to move heavy, damp leaf litter, where ticks thrive, while remaining practical for large trail systems.
That’s where Buffalo Turbine comes in. From the rugged Cyclone KB7 and MEGA3 tow-behinds, to the agile Blitz Stand-On and versatile Hydraulic or PTO Blowers, every model delivers the legendary turbine-force airflow needed to maintain tick-safe trails.
A Legacy of Protecting Public Health
Buffalo Turbine has long been trusted when health and safety are at stake. Our turbine technology has supported mosquito and vector control efforts for decades—because reliability matters when public health is on the line.
Today, that same proven technology can help reduce tick exposure along trails, keeping communities safer while maintaining access to outdoor spaces.
*Miami-Dade County specialized mosquito treatment using Buffalo Turbine vector sprayer during Zika virus outbreak.
A Cleaner Option: The Cyclone eKB
For parks and municipalities also focused on sustainability, Buffalo Turbine offers the Cyclone eKB, a fully battery-powered tow-behind debris blower. It eliminates fuel use and emissions while operating more quietly—ideal for environmentally sensitive areas.
Importantly, the eKB still delivers the high-volume air power needed to clear tick habitat from trail edges.
With the eKB, land managers can meet both public health and environmental goals—protecting visitors while reducing their operational carbon footprint.
Conclusion
Scientific research confirms: leaf blowing is the most effective method for reducing ticks on trails. With Buffalo Turbine equipment—whether gas, diesel, or battery-powered—park managers can put proven ecological strategies into action.
Keep trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for all.
Source: “Tick Control: Leaf Blowing” by Nicolette Malinowski and Blaine Rothauser, Parks & Recreation Magazine, September 2025 issue (pp. 26–27).
