University of Ottawa researchers found that spreading wood chips on recreational trails can reduce tick presence and lower the risk of Lyme disease [1].
This method offers a non-chemical way to protect hikers and walkers from tick-borne illnesses in high-risk areas. As tick populations expand, finding sustainable barriers to protect public trails is a priority for public health officials.
The study focused on recreational trails in the Gatineau region of Quebec, Canada [2]. Researchers said wood chips create a dry and abrasive surface that ticks tend to avoid [1]. By altering the ground environment, the chips act as a deterrent that reduces human exposure to tick bites [2].
Researchers reported these findings in 2026 [3]. The strategy aims to mitigate the spread of Lyme disease by creating a physical buffer between the dense vegetation where ticks thrive and the people using the paths [1]. This approach focuses on environmental modification rather than the use of pesticides or chemical repellents on the landscape [2].
Local authorities in the Gatineau region are looking at these findings as a tool for the summer 2026 season [2]. The abrasive nature of the wood chips disrupts the ticks' ability to navigate and survive on the trail surface, effectively pushing them away from the primary walking paths [1].
“Wood chips create a dry, abrasive surface that ticks tend to avoid.”
This study suggests a shift toward ecological engineering to manage public health risks. By using physical barriers like wood chips to deter ticks, municipalities can reduce Lyme disease transmission without introducing chemical pesticides into forest ecosystems, potentially providing a scalable model for other tick-prone regions globally.
