Abstract

Magano S. R*, Mkolo M. N. and Shai L. J.

Scientific evaluation of plants for anti-tick properties is a necessary step towards the development of tick control methods that exclude or involve less of synthetic chemicals. In this study, we evaluated the repellent properties of Nicotiana tabacum and Eucalyptus globoidea against adults of Hyalomma marganitum rufipes using a suitable repellency bioassay. Dichloromethane extract of E. globoidea had more repellent potency against adults of H. m. rufipes compared to ethyle-acetate extracts of N. tabacum in all the three concentrations (20, 30 and 40% w/v) used. The anti-tick repellent strength of dichloromethane extract of E. globoidea compared favourably with that of the commercial arthropod repellent, N, N-diethyltoluamide (DEET) and the dose was dependent.