Ticks and the pathogens they carry seriously impair cattle production in both Africa and Australia. Farmers control ticks with specially developed chemical pesticides (acaricides) but many populations of ticks have now developed resistance to them. In addition, the acaricides themselves may be toxic to livestock especially at the higher concentrations needed to overcome resistance.

A range of chemicals have been used as acaricides (e.g. organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides) and, as well as being costly to apply, these chemicals can also contaminate the environment and water supply (through cattle dips) and pose a health threat to livestock handlers. The need for new strategies to control ticks and tick-borne disease is therefore urgent.