Acaricides for tick control programmes in the Caribbean: results of trials conducted in Guadeloupe

Abstract

Deltamethrin (Butox 50®), a pyrethroid acaricide, amitraz (Taktik®), an amidine, and phoxim (Sebacil®), an organophosphorus compound, used as spray formulations, as well as two pyrethroids formulated as “pour-on” and used as such or as “spot-on”, flumethrin (Bayticol® “pour-on”) and deltamethrin (a “pour-on” formulation) have been used in Guadeloupe on grazing cattle naturally infested with the adult form of Amblyomma variegatum. For acaricides in spray formulation, a higher efficacy is observed with amitraz (98.5 % infestation reduction). The efficacy is even greater with the two pyrethroids applied as “pour-on” (99.3 % reduction), or “spot-on” (100 % reduction with flumethrin and deltamethrin). In addition, the “spot-on” technique is better-adapted to tethered livestock, the usual Caribbean breeding method. This technique is 2 to 3 times faster than spraying. Despite the higher price of “pour-on” compounds, the reduced time spent on treatment and, consequently, the reduced cost of labour could make this method competitive, especially within a tick eradication programme.