Ticks hinder livestock production as they cause blood loss from animals, disease transfer and also wounds to animals. However through proper control approaches ticks can be easily controlled.
Furthermore, avoid using the tick control acaricide since it creates resistance against ticks. Effective tick control involves a joint forces between government, non government partners and farmers. It is also very important to use recommended tick acaricide to prevent damage to animal and people.
Control approach
Regularly dip animals with recommended acaricide to reduce overall tick damage to animals body as well as immunizing, boosting and maintaining animals immunity against ticks.
Also stock animal breeds that are less susceptible to ticks and inspect animals after dipping to check if animals have been well dipped.
Additionally, hand spray animals with pyrethroids to kill both ticks and tsetse flies.
Always vaccinate animals against tick borne diseases and immunize animals to slow down parasite multiplication.
Similarly, train small holder farmer on tick control measures through extension services.
Lastly ticks can effectively be controlled through forming joint partnerships with various livestock partners to provide cost effective measures to tick control.
Dipping methods
Intensively dipping, this involves dipping animals on a regular basis to reduce tick numbers.
Strategic dipping, this involves starting treatment before seasonal rise in tick numbers.
Thresh hold control, here treatment is only applied when tick numbers exceeds the level which would cause acceptable economic loss.
