U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Date of this Version
9-2009
Abstract
Available data provide adequate information to support the conditional registration of GnRH as a tool for management of nuisance white-tailed deer.
White-tailed deer have been classified by EPA as a public health pest because they are a host for blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis), more commonly known as deer ticks, which are a carrier of Lyme disease.
In many urban and suburban areas white-tailed deer populations have become over abundant and are considered a year-round nuisance causing many human-wildlife conflicts such as destruction on gardens, landscapes and golf courses as well as a cause of numerous vehicle accidents. According to a 2006 study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there are about 1.5 million car accidents with deer resulting in over $1 billion of damage and 150 human fatalities annually.
GonaCon is intended to be used in combination with other management techniques since it cannot alone reduce already over abundant populations.
Comments
Issued by United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, September 2009