Chemical control of ticks on cattle and the resistance of these parasites to acaricides

Abstract

Toward the end of the nineteenth century a complex of problems related to ticks and tick-borne diseases of cattle created a demand for methods to control ticks and reduce losses of cattle. The discovery and use of arsenical solutions in dipping vats for treating cattle to protect them against ticks revolutionized tick and tick-borne disease control programmes. Arsenic dips for cattle were used for about 40 years before the evolution of resistance of ticks to the chemical, and the development and marketing of synthetic organic acaricides after World War II provided superior alternative products. Most of the major groups of organic pesticides are represented on the list of chemicals used to control ticks on cattle. Unfortunately, the successive evolution of resistance of ticks to acaricides in each chemical group with the concomitant reduction in the usefulness of a group of acaricides is a major reason for the diversity of acaricides. Whether a producer chooses a traditional method for treating cattle with an acaricide or uses a new method, he must recognize the benefits, limitations and potential problems with each application method and product. Simulation models and research were the basis of recommendations for tick control strategies advocating approaches that reduced reliance on acaricides. These recommendations for controlling ticks on cattle are in harmony with recommendations for reducing the rate of selection for acaricide resistance. There is a need to transfer knowledge about tick control and resistance mitigation strategies to cattle producers.

Integrating ecology and genetics to address Acari invasions

“…For other groups, such as the family Acaridae (Astigmata), data on the number of species and their impact on plants are scarce (Gerson and Weintraub 2012). Adventive ticks have also been spreading , with some of them carrying very detrimental diseases to domestic and wild animals and posing a threat to human health (CDFC 2000;George et al 2004;Léger et al 2012). …”

Strategic control of cattle ticks: milk producers' perceptions

“…Some of these losses come from producers' and technicians' lack of knowledge about how to deal with the problem (JONSSON; MATSCHOSS, 1998). Because of the evolution of resistance to acaricides among cattle ticks and difficulty in developing new products, there is concern regarding the future of chemical control methods against ticks (GEORGE et al, 2004).…”

Development and validation of a PCR–RFLP test to identify African Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) ticks

“…The recognition of this species amongst the three other closely related Boophilids, endemic in the area, is extremely difficult and could therefore easily be overlooked. The first indication of the introduction of this species was the failure of acaricide treatment as a result of the known high degree of resistance which characterizes this species (George et al, 2004).…”