In vitro acaricidal properties of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale and Aloe vera on brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus

In vitro acaricidal properties of aqueous extracts of Allium sativum (Garlic), Zingiber officinale (Ginger) and Aloe vera (Indian aloe) on brown dog tick, Rhipicephalussanguineus was recorded. The lethal effect of extracts as well as histopathological changes on adult male and female ticks, tick larvae and ova were studied. The extracts were tested at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 5%, 2.5% and 1% concentrations for ova, 5%, 2.5% and 1% level for other stages and efficacy levels were compared with a known acaricide, deltamethrin. Results revealed that all the extracts were toxic at 5% to both male and female adult and larval R. sanguineus ticks, with an immediate knock down effect within few minutes of exposure to the extracts. Histopathologically, ticks treated with the extracts showed cuticular damage along with breaching and loss of homogeneity of both epicuticle and endocuticle. However, the extracts did not show any effect on eclosion of tick eggs even at 100% concentration. It was concluded that in vitro, aqueous extract of A. sativum, Z. officinale and A. vera at 5% concentration had 100% acaricidal effect on adult female, male and larval brown dog tick.