How does clove affect ticks? - briefly
Clove essential oil, whose primary component is eugenol, acts as an acaricide by interfering with tick neurotransmission, causing paralysis or death. Laboratory trials demonstrate a marked decline in tick attachment and feeding when exposed to the oil, indicating strong repellent and control properties.
How does clove affect ticks? - in detail
Clove oil contains eugenol, a phenolic compound that disrupts the nervous system of arthropods. Laboratory assays show that eugenol interferes with octopamine receptors, causing paralysis and death in tick specimens. Contact exposure to concentrations as low as 0.5 % eugenol results in mortality rates above 80 % within 24 hours for Ixodes scapularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Repellent activity is documented at sub‑lethal doses. A 5 % clove oil solution applied to fabric or skin creates a volatile barrier that reduces tick attachment by 60–70 % over a four‑hour period. The effect diminishes as the oil evaporates; re‑application every two hours maintains efficacy.
Key experimental findings:
- Direct toxicity: 1 % eugenol solution kills 90 % of adult ticks within 12 hours; larvae are more susceptible, with 95 % mortality at 0.3 % concentration.
- Oviposition inhibition: Females exposed to 0.2 % eugenol lay 40 % fewer eggs; hatchability drops to 30 % of control groups.
- Synergistic formulations: Combining clove oil with neem or rosemary extracts lowers the required dose by 30 % while preserving mortality levels.
- Safety profile: Dermal irritation occurs at concentrations above 10 %; diluted preparations (≤5 %) are generally well tolerated in animal models.
Practical application guidelines:
- Prepare an aqueous emulsion containing 2–5 % clove oil, using a mild surfactant to improve spreadability.
- Apply to pet fur, livestock hide, or outdoor clothing, ensuring even coverage of exposed skin.
- Re‑treat after 2 hours of exposure or after rain, as water removes the volatile layer.
- Store oil in dark, airtight containers to prevent oxidation, which reduces acaricidal potency.
Limitations include rapid volatilization, which shortens protection time, and variable efficacy across tick species. Field trials indicate that clove‑based products are most effective as part of integrated pest‑management programs, combined with habitat control and conventional acaricides.