The efficacy of used engine oil against ticks on cattle

The study was conducted in a peri-urban agricultural system at Botshabelo, a city in the south-eastern Free State. A questionnaire survey revealed tha t 88,5% of cattle farmers in the area experienced problems related to ticks and tick-borne diseases. Because of the cost of commercial acaricides the Botshabelo farmers use alternative, cheaper methods of tick control, includ ing the application of used engine oil. The specific aim of the study was t o determine whether used engine oil can effectively control ticks on cattle . From March to August 1996 the tick burdens of ten control animals and six animals treated by their owner with used engine oil were compared. The tot al tick burdens for the 6 month period differed significantly between the t wo experimental groups. The efficacy of the used engine oil on the treated group varied between 15,1 % and 64,8% with a mean of 38,1 %. Although comme rcial acaricides can be more cost-effective, the application of used engine oil can be useful to reduce tick numbers on cattle during periods of peak abundance. Another advantage is that the use of the oil will not influence existing endemic stability to Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina infe ctions because of the residual tick burdens after treatment.