Poultry red mite eradication potential of ivermectin and allicin combination treatment.

Abstract

Existing treatments against poultry red mite (PRM; Dermanyssus gallinae) infestation have reduced efficacy or exhibit hazardous effects on chickens. Considering the economic importance of chickens, development of a safe and effective method for exterminating PRMs is necessary. Ivermectin and allicin are effective against some ectoparasites; however, their acaricidal efficacies against PRMs remain unknown. To evaluate individual and combined efficacies of ivermectin and allicin in exterminating PRMs. Different concentrations (0.10-1.0mg/mL) of ivermectin (1mL) were applied via dropping method in different insect culture dishes (ICDs), prior to transferring PRMs. For the spraying method, PRMs were transferred to ICDs, before spraying ivermectin (1mg/mL) solution (1mL). Further, the acaricidal effect of allicin on PRMs was evaluated by applying different concentrations (0.25-1.0mg/mL) of allicin (1mL). The combined acaricidal effects of ivermectin and allicin were analysed using four concentration combinations. PRM death rates were determined after 2h, 24h, 2 days, 5 days and 7 days of drug application. Ivermectin application (1mg/mL) exterminated 64% and 100% of PRMs on 1 and 5 days, respectively, and prevented their revival. Further, 0.5mg/mL ivermectin and 1mg/mL allicin individually exterminated 98% and 44% of PRMs, respectively, within 7 days of treatment. In combination, 0.5mg/mL ivermectin and 0.5mg/mL allicin exterminated 100% of PRMs within 5 d of treatment. The most effective combination was 0.25mg/mL ivermectin + 1.00mg/mL allicin. The efficacy of ivermectin-allicin combination in exterminating PRMs was demonstrated. This novel approach could be optimised for industrial applications.