How can I prepare a phytovermicide against ticks? - briefly
Mix a 5 % (w/v) aqueous neem seed kernel extract with 0.5 % (v/v) liquid soap as a surfactant, steep for 24 hours, filter, and spray at 1 L per 100 m² of foliage. Apply only when foliage is dry and avoid runoff to protect non‑target organisms.
How can I prepare a phytovermicide against ticks? - in detail
To produce an effective plant‑derived acaricide for tick control, follow a systematic protocol that covers raw material selection, extraction, formulation, testing, and safety.
Begin with botanical candidates known for acaricidal activity. Species such as Nigella sativa (black seed), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), and Citrus limon (lemon peel) contain compounds (e.g., thujone, carvacrol, eugenol, limonene) that impair tick physiology. Harvest mature, disease‑free plant parts—leaves, seeds, or peels—during the period of highest essential‑oil concentration, typically early morning.
Prepare the material by drying at 40–45 °C to a constant weight, then grinding to a fine powder (particle size < 1 mm). For essential‑oil extraction, employ steam distillation or hydrodistillation; for broader phytochemical profiles, use solvent extraction with ethanol (70 % v/v) or a water‑ethanol mixture (1:1). The extraction steps are:
- Weigh 100 g of dried plant powder.
- Add 1 L of solvent in a sealed vessel.
- Agitate on a magnetic stirrer for 24 h at 25 °C.
- Filter through a Whatman No. 1 filter paper.
- Concentrate the filtrate under reduced pressure (rotary evaporator) at ≤ 40 °C.
- Record the final dry extract weight to calculate yield.
Formulate the crude extract into a usable spray. Dissolve the extract in a carrier such as 0.5 % (v/v) non‑ionic surfactant (e.g., Tween 20) to improve leaf adhesion. Adjust the concentration to 1–5 % (w/v) depending on target tick stage and field conditions. Add a preservative (e.g., 0.1 % citric acid) to inhibit microbial growth.
Prior to field deployment, conduct bioassays:
- Place 10 adult ticks in a petri dish with a treated filter paper.
- Apply 1 ml of formulation, ensure uniform coverage.
- Record mortality at 24, 48, and 72 h.
- Compare against an untreated control and a synthetic acaricide benchmark.
Safety measures include wearing gloves, goggles, and a respirator during extraction and formulation. Store the finished product in amber glass bottles at 4 °C, protected from light, and label with concentration, preparation date, and expiration (generally 6 months).
By adhering to this workflow, a reliable botanical acaricide can be produced for integrated tick management, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals while maintaining efficacy.