Access to, knowledge about, and on-farm use of acaricides in Laikipia, Kenya

The prevention of tick-borne diseases is a major challenge for livestock production globally. Tick control strategies include the use of acaricides, but the prescribed strategies do not achieve the desired results in several countries, including Kenya.

To better understand how tick treatment practices, contribute to reported tick treatment failures, this study assessed livestock owners’ acaricide procurement, level of knowledge about acaricides and tick resistance, and how they apply acaricides.

The study also assessed the quality of the commonly available acaricides. Focus was on three livestock systems in Laikipia County, Kenya: two private ranches, one community ranch and individual livestock owners.