Invitro Treatment of Blue Ticks Using a Phytosubstance

Ticks are some of the most devastating ectoparasites of livestock causing several tick borne diseases. Management of ticks is increasing getting difficulty using synthetic acaricides due their rapid tolerance to the synthetic acaricides. Botanical acaricides are now used as an alternative management strategy to curb such problems. The blue tick, Rhiphicephalus (Boophilus) decolaratus, is a one-host tick that parasitizes cattle and vectors a debilitating protozoan parasite that causes babesiosis. Acaricidal properties of thyme were investigated on the cattle blue tick, R.B. decolaratus using various concentrations to establish the lethal dose concentration. The acaridal activity of thyme on ticks was monitored and recorded at two-hour intervals for 48 hours. Tick mortality was observed at all concentrations except the control. The lowest mortality rate was observed for 10μl/cm3 while 40μl/cm3 resulted in total tick mortality. The LC50 was established as 1,9μl/cm3. Significant differences (p<0.01) were observed between concentrations, however the mortality was directly proportional to thyme concentration. The thyme oil dehydrated the ticks leading to death within 48 hours. The study thus concludes that thyme oil can be used as a complimentary or alternative acaricide in an integrated livestock program or where organic means are enforced or to as a way of minimizing tolerance of ticks to conventional acaricides.