The Efficacy of Cypermethrin (Vapco Cypermethrin® 10 EC) Against Cattle Ticks in Tanzania

Abstract

A study was carried out for six weeks to determine the efficacy of cypermethrin against cattle ticks. The laboratory evaluation was conducted at TPRI Arusha using laboratory reared tick species of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Lushoto strains) by larval packet test as recommended by FAO. The results showed that the three weeks old larvae of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were susceptible to the technical grade of cypermethrin (purity 92.1% w/v) with the LC₅₀ and LC₉₉ being 0.0027 and 0.0084 respectively.

On other hand, the field work was conducted at Olarash village in Monduli district, 51 kms west of Arusha Municipality. Two herds which were 3 kms apart whereby one herd which had 36 cattle were treated with Vapco cypermethrin 10 EC at recommended dose rate (0.01%) once fortnightly while the other herd was untreated.  The results showed that the Vapco cypermethrin reduced tremendously the number of ticks in the treatment group (P=0.000) while the number of ticks in the control group remained more less the same throughout the study period (P=1.00). The maximum efficacy was over 99% while the minimum efficacy of 97.7% was only noted on 29^th day which was a fourteenth day post dipping.

Keywords: Tick control, Tick borne diseases,   Acaricide