Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #67305
Title: MANAGING THE TICK ERADICATION PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES TO PROTECT LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AGAINST ACARICIDE RESISTANT BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS

Author
item George, John
item Pound, Joe
item Miller, John
item Davey, Ronald
item Ahrens, Elmer

Submitted to: International Seminar Animal Parasitology Acapulco Mexico
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Tick Eradication Program consists of inspection and dipping in Mexico of cattle imported into the U.S. to insure movement of tick-free cattle across the border. There is a quarantine zone in the U.S. along the Texas-Mexico border, and all cattle and horses from the area are dipped in coumaphos when moved within or from the zone. Outbreaks of cattle ticks outside or within the quarantine zone are eradicated by dipping cattle or through pasture vacation. Only coumaphos is used in the Texas Tick Eradication Program dipping vats and in dipping vats at ports of entry from Mexico. The eradication program is facing challenges such as occurrence in Mexico of organophosphate and pyrethroid resistant B. microplus, increasing restrictive regulatory policies in the use of pesticides, dense populations of white-tailed deer and exotic ungulate species that are alternate hosts for B. microplus and B. annulatus, and changing plant communities that provide habitats favorable to the survival of cattle fever ticks. Several operational and research approaches are being used to insure against the failure of the quarantine program.