Efficacy and Application Considerations of Selected Residual Acaricides Against the Mold Mite <I>Tyrophagus putrescentiae</I> (Acari: Acaridae) in Simulated Retail Habitats

Abstract

The mold mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), is a stored product pest of economic significance that commonly infests many types of food and animal feed products. There is limited information regarding pest management tactics, including residual acaricides for managing this pest in retail store habitats. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of commercially available acaricides that could provide a protective barrier near susceptible food packages destined for consumer use. Mite mortality at 24 and 48 h was measured after exposing mites to acaricide residues applied to a nonporous surface. Two additional factors included in the study were humidity and the presence of an adjuvant to facilitate spread of acaricide on nonporous surfaces. Increasing humidity levels generally decreased acaricide efficacy. Use of the adjuvant itself did not appear to affect efficacy, but the type of application (wet or slurry, or dry) of dust acaricides significantly affected efficacy. The potential for residual acaricides to act as a barrier (within 24-48 h) against dispersal of this mite was discussed.

Acaricide resistance in livestock ticks infesting cattle in Africa: Current status and potential mitigation strategies

“…In some countries, commercially available plant-based formulations such as MyggA® 14 R.Z. Natural and Citriodiol® are being used for controlling ticks ( Jaenson et al., 2006 ; Freitag & Kells, 2013 ). The integration of ethnoveterinary products with synthetic acaricides, seems not to have been fully explored and is certainly worth considering in an African context.…”