Repellent activity of DEET, Icaridin, Permethrin, lemon eucalyptus oil (Corymbia citriodora), and tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) against Ornithodoros turicata nymphs
Date
2020-08
Authors
Bowlsby, Michaela B.
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Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are among the fastest-growing infectious diseases in correlation with increased interactions with humans, wildlife, and livestock. Although tick-borne diseases have wide-ranging importance for public health and food production, most of the research efforts have been on Ixodid ticks, whereas Argasid ticks have received much less attention. Therefore, there is little knowledge about the efficacy of common deterrents that would prevent bites from these species. Three commercial deterrents (DEET, Icaridin, and Permethrin) and two essential oils (tea tree and lemon eucalyptus) were evaluated for repellency against nymphs of Ornithodoros turicata, an Argasid tick that is a vector for Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and a putative vector of African Swine Fever. Repellency was assessed using a petri-dish bioassay on nymphal ticks collected from caves in the Purgatory Green Space of San Marcos, Texas. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and Tea Tree Oil performed well, being able to deter 90% of ticks at 20% concentration. DEET effectively repelled 50% of ticks consistently, even at low concentrations. Icaridin only repelled 50% of ticks at the highest concentration. Permethrin showed very low repellency at all concentrations.
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Keywords
Tick-borne relapsing fever, Ornithodoros turicata, Repellent, Bioassay, African Swine Fever Virus
Citation
Bowlsby, M. B. (2020). <i>Repellent activity of DEET, Icaridin, Permethrin, lemon eucalyptus oil (Corymbia citriodora), and tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) against Ornithodoros turicata nymphs</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.