Background The frequent use of acaricides to control ticks and inadequate flock management has led to the development of tick resistance to many acaricidal drugs. Ethno-veterinary plants with acaricidal activities have a major potential to combat this challenge because they are easily biodegradable, user-friendly, and less toxic to the environment and meat products. The objective of the study was to assess the ethnoveterinary properties of Cissus quandrangularis. Lin and Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey to control ticks.
Results The 6% v/v of Cissus quadrangularis for each extract were more effective (p<0.01) against Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi ticks. The repellency percentage was highest at 6% v/v for acetone, methanol and control extracts similar to positive control Amitraz. The acaricidal efficacy of the Gomphocarpus physocarpus at 12% v/v of methanol extracts was as good as that of 6% v/v, however different to that of 18% v/v was relatively low. The mortality rate of the control, acetone was similar (p <0.05) between 6, 12 and 18% v/v at 24hrs. The mortality rate of the positive control reached 100% after 72 hrs (p < 0.05) post-treatment, even though it was similar to that of acetone, methanol and control across different concentrations. The use of acetone and methanol extracts resulted in similar tick mortality at 12 and 18% v/v at 24 hrs post-treatment. The methanol extract of Gomphocarpus physocarpus at 6% v/v reached up to 100% mortality at 72 hours similar to the positive control.
Conclusions The bioassays indicated that there was a high efficacy percentage from the lowest concentrations (6% v/v) of both Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Mey and Cissus quadrangularis. Lin plant extracts, which was similar to the positive control (Amitraz) suggesting that suggesting that 6% v/v could be sufficient for recommendations because less plant material is required.