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OJVRTM

Online Journal of Veterinary Research©

(Including Medical and Laboratory Research)

Established 1994

ISSN 1328-925X

 

Volume 30 (4): 243-252, 2026.


Effect of neem wool wax formulations on sheep lice.

 

 VH Guerrini.

 

Pestsearch International, Research Division, Queensland, Australia

 

ABSTRACT

 

Guerrini VH.,  Effect of neem wool wax formulations on sheep lice. Onl J Vet Res,  30 (4): 243-252, 2026.  Azadirachtin neem seed extract is a powerful insect growth regulator, feeding deterrent and repellent with low toxicity. However, azadirachtin degrades rapidly in light, excessive heat or alkalinity.  Effects of normal and UV protected azadirachtin on Damalinia ovis were evaluated on  sheep in a lice contaminated environment for 6 months.  Retention, lice control and repellency was evaluated by periodically counting lice in treated sheep tied to untreated lousy sheep. Sheep infested by Damalinia ovis were sprayed once with methanolic neem seed extracts of 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280 ppm azadirachtin and tween-wool wax formulations containing 2000 ppm azadirachtin.  For 6 days after treatment, increased azadirachtin concentrations correlated (P < 0.0001) with reductions in lice. After Day 6, azadirachtin concentrations ranging from 80 to 1280 ppm reduced lice 98-100% and prevented re-infestation for 6 months. In tween or wool fat, azadirachtin reduced lice 100% from Day 2 to 95 and 94-96% from Day 96 to Day 170. The findings suggest that relatively low concentrations of azadirachtin inhibit lice on sheep for long periods. On long wooled sheep, azadirachtin may be retained in lanolin and be protected from UV light and oxidation.

 

Key words: Azadirachtin, Damalinia ovis, sheep.


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