Acaricidal potency of polyherbal spray against Rhipicephalus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum infestation in cattle

Acaricidal potential of polyherbal spray (Andropogon citrates, Cymbopogon citratus, Ocimum sanctum, Pinus longifoia, Calotropis procera, Datura stramonium, Aegle marmelos, Ricinus communis, Azadirachta indica, Allium sativum, Carica papaya, Annona squamosa and Pongamia glabra) was assessed against tick infestation in cattle on the basis of measurement of tick count, complete blood count and plasma glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin before treatment and 21 days after treatment. Single application of polyherbal spray over body of 20 randomly selected tick infested cattle revealed significant reduction in mean tick count starting from 3 days post treatment till 21 days post treatment. Highly significant (P < 0.01) increase in total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume was observed in treated cows 21 days after application of spray compared to pre-treatment values indicating the reduction in blood loss due to heavy tick infestation before treatment. Plasma biochemical parameters revealed no significant changes in pre-treatment and post treatment values. The results of present study imply the clinical and haematological improvement in tick infested cattle treated with polyherbal spray and it could be potential product for use in livestock as acaricide.