Field efficacy of flumethrin pour-on against livestock ticks in Iran

Ticks play an important role in the transmission of a variety of diseases in Iran. High prevalence of tick-borne diseases, such as relapsing fever and Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), has been reported in the study area. The aim of this study was to determine the field efficacy of flumethrin on mortality and deterrence of ticks on tick-infested livestock in Meshkin Shahr, Iran. Flumethrin was applied to the back of livestock at the rate of 1 ml/10 kg body weight and tick density was recorded for up to 2 months after application. The deterrent effect of flumethrin was also assessed on cattle sheltered in the same barn. A total of 3144 hard and soft ticks were collected from 300 cattle and 10% of them were identified. The main hard ticks include Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii and Hyalomma detritum and the soft ticks comprise Ornithodoros lahorensis and Argas persicus. The treatment with flumethrin pour-on provided complete protection for 2 months. The density of ticks per head of cattle in the control group has not significantly decreased during the study period. This method of application is useful for livestock owners; government staff are not required for application and only community education and participation are needed. This pesticide's efficacy will reduce tick-borne diseases such as relapsing fever and Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever.