Cattle tick control in India: Current strategies and future directions

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Entomology
• Parasitology
• Livestock Production

Background:

• Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) pose significant economic challenges to cattle and buffalo production in India.
• Extensive use of acaricides has led to widespread resistance in various tick species, compromising control efficacy.
• Current control strategies are often reactive and heavily reliant on chemical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of tick control practices in India.
• To document the prevalence and mechanisms of acaricide resistance in Indian ticks.
• To evaluate integrated tick control strategies, including host genetics, biological control, and phyto-acaricides.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of tick control practices and acaricide resistance in India.
• Analysis of existing data on tick prevalence and resistance mechanisms.
• Evaluation of alternative and integrated tick management approaches.

Main Results:

• Acaricide resistance is a major impediment to effective tick control in Indian livestock.
• Integrated strategies offer promising alternatives to sole reliance on chemical acaricides.
• Host genetics, biological control, and phyto-acaricides show potential for sustainable tick management.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for a national tick surveillance and resistance management program in India.
• Policy reforms, enhanced veterinary training, and sustained investment are essential to combat TTBDs.
• A shift towards proactive, ecologically grounded tick management is advocated from a One Health perspective.