The natural control of heartwater vectors

Socio-economic factors and environmental considerations have increasingly encouraged the search for methods of tick control other than acaricidal treatment. Biological control management regimes have, so far, not proved to be sound replacements for acaricides. The major natural control methods employed successfully at present are host resistance and pasture management. The former has been extensively studied and utilized in a one-host-tick situation, and its potential specificity for the Amblyomma species is discussed. Pasture management in the form of tick-resistant plants and habitat modification affecting vector ecology and viability is discussed, as is host availability. Parasites and predators affecting tick populations are gleaned over with the accent on predacious birds (Buphagus species) which may play a limited role in integrated control programmes. Reference is made to the possibilities of genetic manipulation, problems accompanying the implementation of sterile male techniques, and hybrid sterility. In conclusion, a plea is made to ensure a thorough understanding of target vector ecology before any control measures are employed. This should be preferably from an integrated point of view rather than from a standpoint of unilateral reliance.