Queensland scientists have discovered that one of Australia’s best known folk remedies might help to alleviate the sheep industry’s biggest headache. Although indigenous Australians have long used the native tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) plant for medical purposes, only recently has tea tree oil been seriously considered as a natural, on-farm insecticide. In scientific trials the researchers demonstrated that lice were eradicated from sheep dipped in diluted tea tree oil, using concentrations of between one and two per cent.
Dr Peter James, senior research fellow, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, University of Queensland