The efficacy of natural acaricide application against Ixodidae (Ixodes ricinus)

Abstract
This article presents the results of experimental studies on refined methods of controlling Ixodes tick populations via the utilization of potent and effective acaricides. In order to determine potential acaricidal properties essential oils from the Salvia officinalis L, Thymus serpyllum L., and Pinus sylvestris L. plants were selected. In order to extract the essential oils steam distillation was used, which takes advantage of the volatility of a compound to evaporate when heated with steam and the hydrophobicity of the compound to separate into an oil phase during condensation. The composition of the essential oils was studied by gas chromatography. The search for more potent and effective acaricides that can be used to limit populations of Ixodes ticks is one of the most important tasks of modern science. The purpose of our work was to suggest the use of new methods of eliminating or controlling the tick population in the Zaporizhzhia region. The main advantage of this new proposed method, in comparison with existing strategies, is environmental safety. Experimentation involving 730 specimens in the Zaporizhzhia region began in May, 2018 and ended in June, 2019. Through our experiments, we determined the viability of Salvia officinalis L and Thymus serpyllum L essential oils as potential acaricides. The LD 50 calculated for both essential oils was 3% in 24 hours and 1% in 2 hours, respectively. The agent used to attract the ticks was pine extract. Thus, we suppose that the implementation of these essential oils as acaricides reduce tick populations, thereby limiting the chance of contracting tick-borne diseases. Our tests demonstrate that Salvia officinalis L., and Thymus serpyllum L. are the most effective repellants amongst the rest of the examined plants. The essential oils of these plants, when used as a solvent, had a more powerful influence upon Ixodidae. The results indicate that essential oils could be used to counter the tick populations in areas with higher incidences of tick-borne infection.