The use of vaccines and genetically resistant animals in tick control.

The control of ticks and diseases transmitted by ticks is extremely difficult. Application of acaricides is the most common prophylactic and therapeutic control measure against these ectoparasites. The selection of tick strains which are resistant to these products, the appearance of chemical residues in milk and meat, and environmental pollution resulting from the use of acaricides pose real problems. This article deals with aspects of current work on the alternative control of ticks and places special emphasis on the development of vaccines and the utilisation of genetically resistant animals.