Miticide
Encyclopedia
Acaricides are pesticide
s that kill members of the Acari group, which includes tick
s and mite
s.
Acaricides are used both in medicine
and agriculture
, although the desired selective toxicity differs between the two fields.
As a practical matter, mite
s are a paraphyletic grouping, and mites and ticks are usually treated as a single group.
Pesticide
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.A pesticide may be a chemical unicycle, biological agent , antimicrobial, disinfectant or device used against any pest...
s that kill members of the Acari group, which includes tick
Tick
Ticks are small arachnids in the order Ixodida, along with mites, constitute the subclass Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites , living by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians...
s and mite
Mite
Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...
s.
Acaricides are used both in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
and agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, although the desired selective toxicity differs between the two fields.
Terminology
There are more specific words sometimes used depending upon the targeted group:- "Ixodicides" are substances that kill ticks.
- "Miticides" are substances that kill mites.
- The term scabicide is more narrow, and refers to agents specifically targeting SarcoptesSarcoptesSarcoptes is a genus of mite.In some contexts, the types are all considered subordinate to Sarcoptes scabiei.* Sarcoptes scabiei var. bovis* Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis* Sarcoptes scabiei var. caprae* Sarcoptes scabiei var. equi...
. - The term "arachnicide" is more general, and refers to agents that target arachnidArachnidArachnids are a class of joint-legged invertebrate animals in the subphylum Chelicerata. All arachnids have eight legs, although in some species the front pair may convert to a sensory function. The term is derived from the Greek words , meaning "spider".Almost all extant arachnids are terrestrial...
s. This term is used much more rarely, but occasionally appears in informal writing.
As a practical matter, mite
Mite
Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...
s are a paraphyletic grouping, and mites and ticks are usually treated as a single group.
Examples
Examples include:- PermethrinPermethrinPermethrin is a common synthetic chemical, widely used as an insecticide, acaricide, and insect repellent. It belongs to the family of synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids and functions as a neurotoxin, affecting neuron membranes by prolonging sodium channel activation. It is not known to...
can be applied as a spray. The effects are not limited to mites: liceLouseLice is the common name for over 3,000 species of wingless insects of the order Phthiraptera; three of which are classified as human disease agents...
, cockroachCockroachCockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria or Blattodea, of which about 30 species out of 4,500 total are associated with human habitations...
es, fleaFleaFlea is the common name for insects of the order Siphonaptera which are wingless insects with mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood...
s, mosquitoMosquitoMosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the Culicidae . The word Mosquito is from the Spanish and Portuguese for little fly...
s, and other insects will be affected. Permethrin, however, is not known to seriously harm most mammals or birds, as it has a low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin. - Ivermectin can be prescribed by a medical doctor to rid humans of mite and lice infestations and there are agricultural formulations for birds and rodents that are infested.
- AntibioticAntibioticAn antibacterial is a compound or substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria.The term is often used synonymously with the term antibiotic; today, however, with increased knowledge of the causative agents of various infectious diseases, antibiotic has come to denote a broader range of...
miticides - carbamateCarbamateCarbamates are organic compounds derived from carbamic acid . A carbamate group, carbamate ester, and carbamic acids are functional groups that are inter-related structurally and often are interconverted chemically. Carbamate esters are also called urethanes.-Synthesis:Carbamic acids are derived...
miticides - formamidine miticides
- organochlorineOrganochlorideAn organochloride, organochlorine, chlorocarbon, chlorinated hydrocarbon, or chlorinated solvent is an organic compound containing at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom. Their wide structural variety and divergent chemical properties lead to a broad range of applications...
- organophosphateOrganophosphateAn organophosphate is the general name for esters of phosphoric acid. Phosphates are probably the most pervasive organophosphorus compounds. Many of the most important biochemicals are organophosphates, including DNA and RNA as well as many cofactors that are essential for life...
miticides - Diatomaceous earthDiatomaceous earthDiatomaceous earth also known as diatomite or kieselgur/kieselguhr, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimetre, but typically 10 to...
will also kill mites by disrupting the cuticle, which dries out the mite. - DicofolDicofolDicofol is an organochlorine pesticide that is chemically related to DDT. Dicofol is a miticide that is very effective against red spider mite....
, a compound structurally related to the insecticide DDTDDTDDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....
, is a miticide that is effective against the red spider mite Tetranychus urticaeTetranychus urticaeTetranychus urticae is one of many species of plant-feeding mites found in dry environments across the world, and generally considered a pest. It is the most widely known member of the family Tetranychidae or spider mites...
. - Lime sulfur is effective against sarcoptic mange. It is made by mixing hydrated lime, sulfur, and water and boiling for about 45 minutes. Lime can bond with as much as 4 times its weight of sulfur. The strongest concentrate is diluted 1:32 before saturating the skin (avoiding the eyes); applied at six-day intervals.
- Non-pesticide miticide acting by desiccationDesiccationDesiccation is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container.-Science:...
but not a diatomaceous earth (which contain crystalline silica, potentially dangerous by inhalation), but made from a patented mix of food-grade components, one to breach the cuticle and one to ensure rapid, reliable desiccation. Can be dusted as powder or sprayed in aqueous solution.