In vitro repellency of DEET and β-citronellol against the ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma sculptum

Abstract

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Amblyomma sculptum can parasite humans and domestic animals and are vectors of pathogens, including zoonoses. Repellents are an important tool of tick control. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of N,N-diethyl- 3-methylbenzamide (DEET), a standard repellent, versus β-citronellol in a Petri dish bioassay. A semicircle of filter paper (31.8cm2) was treated with 87μl of one of four concentrations (0.200, 0.100, 0.050 and 0.025mg/cm2) of β-citronellol, DEET or solvent (ethanol). A head-to-head test was developed treating one side with increasing concentrations of β-citronellol as above mentioned, against the highest concentration of DEET. Besides that a blank assay was performed. Three males and three females were placed in the middle of the plate and their location was evaluated 5, 10 and 30min after the test was initiated. As a result, the time had no significant effect on repellency response of the ticks exposed to both compounds and their concentrations. The repellency response raised according with the increase of concentration. Additionally, our findings indicate that the tick A. sculptum was more sensitive to the compounds tested and β-citronellol showed a higher efficacy than DEET. In addition, β-citronellol could be formulated to protect humans and other animals from R. sanguineus s. l. and A. sculptum infestation, as well as the diseases transmitted by these species.