Commercial acaricides in pour-on formulation react differently in reducing tick numbers on cattle in extensive and intensive management systems in Bockle, North Cameroon

Abstract

Ticks are important disease vectors in cattle farms in North Cameroon and information about the efficiency of locally used acaricides to combat them is scanty. In order to suggest the best acaricide to farmers, a field trial was deemed necessary to test the efficiency of five acaricidal reference products (Ectospec ®, Cypertop ®, Deltik ®, Vectoclor ® and Topline ®) in the Extensive Management System (EMS) and Intensive Management System (IMS) in Bocklé. In total, 282 ticks were collected and identified into two species namely: Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma truncatum. Toplin® had the highest tick clearance effect while Ectospec® recorded the least tick clearance effect on cattle in the EMS. Toplin® protection duration was 21 days post application. All the five products tested in the IMS equally resulted in zero tick count 6 days post application. There was cross protection of cattle against ticks in the control group by those in the treated group in both EMS and IMS. Sex and color coat were the cattle risk parameters evaluated. Females (58.51%) were frequently infested than males (41.49%). Red colored cattle revealed highest tick numbers than others. Tick counts on animals in the EMS (53.19%) was greater than that in the IMS (46.80%) even though there was no statistical significant difference (t = -1.3232, df = 5, p = 0.2431). Toplin ® revealed the highest ticks number reduction effect in the EMS and can be incorporated in the Integrated Tick Management System (ITMS) in such a system, but all the acaricides tested will be equitably suitable for an ITMS in the IMS in Bocklé.