Evaluating the effects of neem, lantana camara and tobacco leaves against ticks of veterinary importance in cattle.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Ticks are important Ectoparasites of cattle and are responsible for direct production losses and transmission of several tick-borne diseases. Dependence on synthetic acaricides for tick control has also been associated with problems such as acaricide resistance, environmental contamination, chemical residues and increasing costs of livestock production. This study was designed to evaluate the acaricidal effects of selected medicinal plants against ticks of veterinary importance in cattle in Kween District, Kaseko subcounty. The specific objectives was to document indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used for tick management, evaluate the acaricidal efficacy of selected medicinal plant extracts against ticks, and compare the effectiveness of the plant extracts with a standard synthetic acaricide. A cross-sectional survey design was used to document indigenous knowledge among livestock farmers, while a laboratory experimental design was used to evaluate the acaricidal activity of leaf extracts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Lantana (Lantana camara) and neem (Azadirachta indica). The extracts were tested at10.5%, 12.5% and 14.5% concentrations. Tick mortality was assessed at 0, 2, 5, 10 and 30 minutes after treatment. A standard synthetic acaricide was used as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control, with three replicates for each treatment. Data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and appropriate analysis of variance was used which is observed in chapter four. The results demonstrated a concentration- and time-dependent pattern of tick mortality, with mortality generally increasing as extract concentration and exposure time increased. Neem showed greater acaricidal activity compared with tobacco and Lantana camara, while the synthetic acaricide showed the highest overall efficacy. The study concluded that selected medicinal plants, particularly Neem, have potential for use in sustainable tick management. Further field studies are recommended to establish their safety, appropriate dosage and effectiveness under practical livestock production conditions
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Undergraduate research report
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Kibet, D. (2026). Evaluating the effects of neem, lantana camara and tobacco leaves against ticks of veterinary importance in cattle. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.