Efficiency Evaluation of Silica Nanoparticles as a Pesticide against Ctenocephalides felis

Abstract

The increasing resistance of arthropods to many insecticides has encouraged researchers to search for new alternatives to combat harmful insects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of silica nanoparticles (NPs) on Ctenocephalides felis (C. felis), a prevalent species among cats and a known vector for diseases. The killing efficacy of SiO2-NPs against C. felis was tested at three different concentrations (50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) over three different time intervals (10, 20, and 40 minutes), alongside positive and negative control groups (distilled water and cypermethrin). The results of the current study indicated that all concentrations had a fleacidal effect, with SiO2-NPs demonstrating increased efficacy with higher concentrations and longer exposure periods. The concentration of 150 mg/mL of SiO2-NPs led to the highest effect at 96% upon exposure for 40 minutes. The results of the current study revealed significant differences between the control groups and all the groups treated with Sio2-NP concentrations. It can be concluded that Sio2-NPs are a practical approach to flea control although it is necessary to search for environmentally friendly pesticides. The current results indicate that SiO2-NPs have anti-parasitic effects against C. felis.