Therapy cattle with bovicolosis by amorphous silica powder agent
In the field conditions the insecticidal efficacy of a finely dispersed powder of diatomite (amorphous silica of biogenic origin) with respect to the ectoparasite of cattle Bovicola bovis was studied. The experiment was carried out on black-and-white holsteinized cows. The drug sprayed in evenly thin layer over the body of animals using a accumulator dusting device at the rate of 100 g per cow. The treatment was carried out twice with an interval of 10 days. The drug showed a 100 % insecticidal effect due to damage of the wax layer of the insect's cuticle, pulling moisture out of its body and preventing entering oxygen through the spiracles. Thus fine diatomite powder, which does not contain xenobiotics, can serve as an alternative substitute for chemical insecticides.