Laboratory evaluation of bigshot maxim, repelcare, and clove essential oil, syzygium aromaticum against the lone star tick, amblyomma americanum

Synthetic acaricides have been the most used method for controlling tick populations. However, their frequent application has had negative impacts on treated animals and the environment and led to the development of resistance in tick populations. These factors generated interest and the need to find more environmentally friendly alternatives. In this study, the repellency and acaricidal effects of BigShot Maxim (AIs: cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, thyme oil), RepelCare (AIs: turmeric oil and eucalyptus oil), and clove oil, Syzygium aromaticum L., were tested against the lone star tick, Amblyomma Americanum (Linnaeus). Despite no evidence of repellency for BigShot Maxim, RepelCare and clove oil, its disruption of the host seeking behavior after contact to the products was observed and further investigated. BigShot Maxim and clove oil were selected for mortality testing and resulted in complete mortality of male, female ticks, and nymphs with some application rates. The results from this study provide a better understanding of repellency and acaricidal effects of botanical products against the lone star tick that can be used to further improve the development of green chemistry. However, further studies are warranted before these botanical products can be implemented as effective alternatives to chemical acaricides to use in integrated vector control.