Farmers’ Adoption, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Tick Control Measures on Dairy Farms in Subtropical Areas of Continental Ecuador
(2024) Transboundary and Emerging Diseases — Vol. 2024, p. 1-21 (2024)
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Paucar-Quishpe, Valeria 
Pérez-Otáñez, Ximena Rodríguez-Hidalgo, Richar Pérez-Escalante, Cecilia Saegerman, Claude
- Abstract
- The application of tick control strategies on tropical dairy cattle strongly relies on farmers’ uptake, knowledge, and perceptions ofthe efficacy of control measures. This study aims to identify common and uncommon tick control practices employed by dairyfarmers in subtropical areas of Ecuador and associate them with the presence of infestation and acaricide resistance. Data werecollected through a cross-sectional survey and participatory meetings. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to explore theassociation between management variables and the level of tick infestation and resistance. It was determined that the main methodof acaricide control is still chemical, mainly using spray baths. Generally, when this form of application is used, acaricides areoverdosed, in contrast to the pour-on method with underdosage. Among the measures farmers adopt when chemical treatment hasfailed is to use overdoses of products, mix different acaricides, and use focused treatments (wipe cloth) with irritant substances. Theabsence of a high level of infestation was related to acaricide dips every 3–4 weeks and the use of intensive grazing. On the otherhand, the high infestation was related to the use of organophosphates, wipe cloth application, and the report of tick-borne diseases(TBDs). A small group of farmers have good knowledge and seek alternatives to chemical control, experimenting with biologicalcontrols, herbal extracts, manual tick removal, and paddock control. Additionally, farmers reported the presence of TBDs (47%)and the presence of animals poisoned by acaricides (6%), which died in 75% of those cases. Farmers frequently mentioned that tickinfestation induces milk drop production and weight loss and is associated with the presence of TBDs. This information is crucialto improve tick control management in Ecuador, particularly through implementing practices that mitigate resistance to acaricidesand ensure long-term solutions that help maintain the efficacy of tick control treatments.WileyTransboundary and Emerging Diseases
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Paucar-Quishpe, V., Pérez-Otáñez, X., Rodríguez-Hidalgo, R., Pérez-Escalante, C., Cepeda-Bastidas, D., Grijalva, J., Enríquez, S., Arciniegas-Ortega, S., Vanwambeke, S., Ron-Garrido, L., & Saegerman, C. (2024). Farmers’ Adoption, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Tick Control Measures on Dairy Farms in Subtropical Areas of Continental Ecuador. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2024, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5023240 (Original work published 2024)