Direct application of Pesticides

26.3 Direct application of Pesticides This method involves the use of a cloth, sponge, or brush, to directly apply pesticides to the area of skin where the parasites are present.

Advantages: Sometimes it is necessary to apply pesticides directly to the area where parasites are located on the animal. For instance, two-host and three-host ticks tend to cluster in the ears or around the scrotum, udder, tail, and vulva where animals cannot easily rub the ticks off. These types of ticks often spread tick-borne diseases. Sometimes, even after dipping or spraying, these ticks do not come off. Direct application of acaricides kills the ticks and protects against re-infestation.

Note: acaricides based in oil or grease kill the ticks and protect longer against re-infestation than water-based acaricides.

Disadvantages: This process is time-consuming. Also, before applying to the ears or skin, it is preferable to trim long hair (with round-ended scissors) so acaricide is placed directly on the ticks.

Direct Application of Pesticides