Farmers should judiciously use available agents against ticks or include natural repellents in their tick control programmes.
Ticks can build resistance to dip chemicals. Concentrated garlic extract is up to 98% effective in repelling ticks when animals are dipped with it.
Garlic-based products can also be provided to animals through feed. The feed supplement Garlium (reg.no. V27580, Act 36 of 1947) can help repel ticks in ruminants, wildlife and horses. The active ingredients, garlic oil and powder, are converted into allyl methyl sulfide in the body.
In two studies at the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort, Garlium repelled up to 50% of ticks in springboks and reduced the number of larvae surviving to the next season by more than 40% in cattle.
In a commercial trial in Limpopo with weaned calves, 70% fewer ticks attached to the animals. Garlium can be used in with chemical dips and is available from Allied Nutrition.
Price: On request
Inquiries: Frans Hagg, 072 037 0749; e-mail: technical@alliednutrition.com; website: www.alliednutrition.com
