Membrane feeding of ticks allows testing of antitick preparations and vaccines without the use of laboratory and experimental animals and therefore without the associated costs (purchase, breeding, operation). Membrane feeding greatly simplifies the entire testing process, and in addition to manipulation with animals itself, narcotics injections, which may have different effects on the test, and other injections are also avoided when testing organic compounds. In addition, the amount of test substances is lower in in vitro testing and the possibility of simultaneous testing of different preparations is greater than that of in vivo tests. This membrane feeding system allows you to work with all stages of development of ticks, i.e. also nymphs, which represent the stage with a highest risk for the transmission of infectious diseases. The ethical aspect is, however, also important, for example when testing anti-tick repellents, etc., it is possible to apply for a certificate confirming the non-use of experimental animals, such as the Humane Cosmetics Standard – HCS.
