Comparison of the tick repellent efficacy of chemical and biological products originating from Europe and the USA

Abstract

The present paper investigates the efficacy of common anti-tick repellents in Europe and in the USA. There were tested Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, and Rhipcephalus sanguineus when they are placed onto hands and clothes of male and female humans being treated with common tick repellents. It was seen that DEET needed high concentrations to repel ticks, while essential oils are mostly inefficient. On the other hand saltidin = icaridin, p-menthan-diol and IR 3535 showed long-lasting effects, which in the case of combinations of saltidin and Vitex extracts were even increased. © Springer-Verlag 2010.