Recommendations for sustainable control of cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1887) in Latin America and the Caribbean

The control of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is an ongoing challenge for cattle producers in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. It is a robust parasite that transmits potentially fatal pathogens and can cause substantial damage to cattle in its own right. With a high fecundity and a life cycle with an off-host, free-living phase that can extend to around one year, R. microplus has a demonstrated capacity to both, evade treatment with acaricides and to acquire resistance to acaricides. The aim of this article is to design current best practice recommendations for control of R. microplus for Latin American environments, based on empirical and theoretical studies available in the literature, and on the field experiences of the authors. To help control program designers ensure that all critical factors are considered, a five-pointed approach to control is recommended: 1) Treat with the right product; 2) Treat using the right dose; 3) Treat the right animals; 4) Treat at the right time; 5) Use non-acaricidal methods. Consideration of each of these points should enable control of ticks consistent with three pillars of sustainable parasite control: 1) ensuring environmental and human safety; 2) enhancing the production of high-quality, high welfare animal products; and 3) preserving the financial viability of cattle farms.