Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock

FAO

Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock

Copyright licence

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 84 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

Category Guideline

ISBN 978-92-5-139729-9

Series title FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines

Series number No. 38

Full item page

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4964en

Synopsis (short abstract) These guidelines offer a comprehensive resource for managing tick control and tackling acaricide resistance in livestock. They emphasize the growing problem of acaricide resistance, which has been observed in various regions. The document provides in-depth information on tick biology, available synthetic chemical controls, and the underlying mechanisms of acaricide resistance. It stresses the importance of continuously monitoring tick populations and resistance levels to inform more effective control strategies. To address this resistance, the guidelines recommend Integrated Tick Management (ITM), a holistic approach that integrates chemical treatments with non-chemical methods. This strategy aims to reduce acaricide use, helping to slow resistance development and minimize potential environmental and public health risks. Additionally, the guidelines highlight the necessity of strong regulatory frameworks to ensure the quality, safety and effectiveness of tick control products. In conclusion, these guidelines deliver a thorough overview of the challenges and strategies related to tick control and acaricide resistance, advocating for sustainable practices and ongoing research to improve livestock health and productivity while reducing the risks posed by tick infestations and the diseases they transmit.

Cite this content as:

FAO. 2025. Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines, No. 38. Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4964en

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Language English

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Book (stand-alone)

Guideline

Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock
Technical documentation
2025

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This technical documentation supports the “Guidelines for sustainable tick control and acaricide resistance management in livestock” and provides practical information for managing tick populations and preventing acaricide resistance in livestock. Key sections include guidance on the identification and monitoring of ticks, laboratory bioassays for assessing resistance, recommendations for implementation of tick control strategy and best practices in acaricide use. The document also explores the social and behavioural factors influencing management practices and presents challenges and opportunities for implementing integrated tick management programmes.Additionally, it outlines regulatory requirements especially for the efficacy and safety evaluation of acaricides as well as a regional landscape of marketing authorization. Overall, this technical documention aims to provide practical and technical support to animal health professionals, promoting sustainable and effective tick control strategies that mitigate resistance development and ensure livestock health.
Book (series)

Guideline
Directives relatives à la lutte durable contre les tiques et à la gestion de la résistance aux acaricides dans le secteur de l’élevage 2025

Also available in:

English
Spanish

Les présentes directives constituent un document de référence complet sur la luttecontre les tiques et la gestion de la résistance aux acaricides dans le secteur del’élevage. L’accent y est mis sur le problème croissant que soulève la résistance auxacaricides observée dans des régions variées. On trouvera dans ce document desinformations détaillées sur la biologie des tiques, les produits chimiques de synthèsedisponibles pour lutter contre les tiques, et les mécanismes de la résistance auxacaricides. L’importance que revêt la surveillance régulière des populations detiques et des niveaux de résistance pour éclairer l’élaboration de stratégies de lutteplus efficaces est particulièrement soulignée. Pour contrer cette résistance, il estrecommandé de recourir à une gestion intégrée des tiques, c’est-à-dire d’adopter unedémarche globale conjuguant traitements chimiques et méthodes non chimiques.Cette stratégie vise à réduire l’utilisation des acaricides, contribuant ainsi à ralentir ledéveloppement de résistances et à réduire autant que possible les risques potentielspour l’environnement et la santé publique. De plus, les directives mettent en lumièrela nécessité de mettre en place des cadres réglementaires solides, de nature à assurerla qualité, la sécurité sanitaire et l’efficacité des produits de lutte contre les tiques.En conclusion, ces directives donnent un aperçu exhaustif des difficultés soulevéespar la lutte contre les tiques et la résistance aux acaricides, ainsi que des stratégiesà mettre en oeuvre pour les surmonter. L’adoption de pratiques durables et lapoursuite des travaux de recherche y sont encouragées pour améliorer la santé etla productivité des troupeaux tout en réduisant les risques liés aux infestations detiques et aux maladies qu’elles transmettent.
Book (series)

Technical report

Expert consultation on the sustainable management of parasites in livestock challenged by the global emergence of resistance
Part 1: Current status and management of acaricide resistance in livestock ticks – Virtual meeting, 9–10 November 2021
2022

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Ticks and tick-borne diseases are widely distributed worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been estimated that eighty percent of the world's cattle population is exposed to tick infestation. Chemical control, dipping or spraying infested cattle with acaricides is the primary method of dealing with the cattle tick problem. However, widespread exposure to acaricides, often at sub-effective concentrations, has resulted in selecting resistant tick populations. Hence, acaricide resistance in livestock ticks negatively affects the livelihoods of millions of livestock producers. FAO organized a virtual expert consultation on 9-10 November 2021 on the sustainable management of parasites in livestock challenged by the global emergence of resistance. This report (part 1) concerns the first consultation, focusing on acaricide resistance. The purpose of the expert consultation was to provide FAO with a global overview of the current situation regarding the sustainable management of livestock ticks and enable FAO to re-enter the area of ticks and tick-borne livestock diseases in the (sub) tropics. In addition to animal health risks and production losses, there are also human health risks and environmental concerns over acaricides. Finally, the extensive use of antibiotics to prevent transmission of some of the major tick-borne diseases affecting livestock in (sub) tropical regions has raised concerns.