Effectiveness of a botanical pesticide in a motion activated 3-D Quik Hand™ sprayer for treatment of cattle for cattle fever ticks in a pen trial

Authors: Maestas, Lauren; Goolsby, John

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2024
Publication Date: 12/1/2024
Citation: Maestas, L.P., Goolsby, J. 2024. Effectiveness of a botanical pesticide in a motion activated 3-D Quik Hand™ sprayer for treatment of cattle for cattle fever ticks in a pen trial. Southwestern Entomologist. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.049.0427.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3958/059.049.0427

Interpretive Summary: Cattle fever ticks annually cause billions of dollars in livestock damages worldwide and new methods for battling these pests are needed. Two similar plant based pesticides, Stop the Bites® and Fly at Tick Spray® were evaluated in a pen trial for control of cattle fever ticks on cattle using a motion activated livestock sprayer. Cattle were repeatedly treated as they crossed through the sprayer to travel between compartments of the pen to access food and water/shade. Both formulations of the plant base pesticides caused high levels of mortality to cattle fever ticks as compared to the untreated water control. The 3-D Quik Hand™ is a novel tool for low-volume, high-frequency application of pesticides for control of cattle fever ticks. This tool could provide a new option, in addition to treatment using dipping vats, spray boxes, or truck mounted sprayers for use by the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and livestock producers. It may also be useful for treatment of cattle fever tick infested nilgai antelope and white-tailed deer as they move through gaps in livestock fencing or using natural funnels. Further research is warranted to optimize rates of the plant based pesticides and methods for field deployment of motion activated sprayers.

Technical Abstract: Cattle fever ticks represent a significant economic burden to the worldwide livestock industry and novel treatment methodologies to treat and control cattle fever ticks are needed. Two similar botanical pesticides, Stop the Bites® and Fly at Tick Spray® were evaluated in a pen trial for control of cattle fever ticks on cattle using the motion activated, 3-D Quik Hand™ livestock sprayer. Cattle were repeatedly passively treated as they crossed through the sprayer to travel between compartments of the pen to access food and water/shade. Both formulations of the botanical pesticides caused significant mortality to cattle fever ticks as compared to the untreated water control. The 3-D Quik Hand™ is a novel tool for low-volume, high-frequency application of pesticides for control of cattle fever ticks. This tool could provide a new option, in addition to treatment using dipping vats, spray boxes, or truck mounted sprayers for use by the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and livestock producers. It may also be useful for treatment of cattle fever tick infested nilgai antelope and white-tailed deer as they move through gaps in livestock fencing or natural or man-made funnels leading to water or other lures. Further research is warranted to optimize rates of the botanical pesticides and methods for field deployment of the 3-D Quik Hand™ sprayer.