The use of pelleted dichlorvos in the control of murine acariasis

Abstract

Dichlorvos resin pellets placed in bedding were found to be highly efficacious in eliminating Myobia musculi (Schrank) from a conventional mouse colony. The infested mice were exposed continuously to the insecticide for a 14-day period. At the end of this period no live mites or eggs were observed.

Health Delivery and Quality Assurance Programs for Mice

“…As an added precaution against the possibility of an internal or external parasite infestation remaining undetected or causing cross-contamination of other shipments, many institutions prophylactically provide feed containing a therapeutic level of fenbendazole to eliminate pinworms (100 to 150 parts per million in the diet) (Boivin et al 1996;Coghlan et al 1993) and utilize an acaricide. Useful acaricides include permethrin-impregnated cotton nesting material (currently marketed as Mite Arrest) (Mather and Lausen 1990) or dichlorvos-containing pellets (Fraser et al 1974). Treatment against pinworms and fur mites ensures that these agents do not gain access to colony animals despite the possibility of falsenegative testing results from imported animals, contact sentinels, or bedding sentinels.…”

“…Colonies of mice infected with pinworms can be successfully treated using feed containing fenbendazole (Boivin et al 1996;Coghlan et al 1993), application of ivermectin (Baumans et al 1988;West et al 1992), or water containing ivermectin or ivermectin and piperazine (Lipman et al 1994). Colonies of mice infested with mites may be treated utilizing ivermectin (Levee 1994), permethrin (Mather and Lausen 1990), or dichlorvos (Fraser 1974). Extensive testing (even including pelt digestion) might be required to conclude that a fur mite infestation has been fully eliminated.…”