Efficacy of flumethrin 1 % pour-on against ticks on cattle under field conditions in Ethiopia

The efficacy of a flumethrin 1% pour-on (Bayticol, Bayer AH) was evaluated against natural infestations of ticks on cattle on a dairy farm in Ethiopia during 1997/98. The cattle, (n = 92), which were Friesian/Zebu crosses, we re heavily infested with Boophilus decoloratus. Dry cows (n = 8) were rando mly selected and allocated either into a treatment or a control group. Flum ethrin 1% pour-on was applied to the treatment group according to the manuf acturer's recommendation, i.e. along the dorsal mid-line from the head to t he base of the tail. Ticks were counted and identified in situ on treated a nd control animals. When the total tick counts of the treated group were si milar to those on the control, the trial was discontinued. Excellent result s were achieved with flumethrin against heavy tick infestations. There was a rapid kill after 24 h post-treatment, and from day 4 onwards 100% control was achieved and maintained for a further 29 days. The results obtained in dicate that there was a significant difference between the mean tick counts of the control group compared with those of the treatment group (P < 0.05) . The evidence presented here suggests that the flumethrin 1% pour-on may b e applied at 45 day intervals and should provide effective protection again st the economically important ticks if it is used at the recommended dosage rate and applied correctly.