Method for removing bot eggs from animal hair

Abstract

Bot eggs are readily removed from horse's hair by first applying to the eggs a thickened aqueous solution of an imidazoline or betaine surfactant in which the hydrophobe is a C.sub.7 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl group. This loosens the adhesion of the eggs so they can be scraped off easily, even by the use of a pad of metal wool.

Description

Claims

1. A method for removing bot eggs from animal hair, which method comprises applying to the hair to soften the cement by which the eggs are adhered to the hair, a thickened aqueous solution containing at least about 2% of an amphoteric surfactant selected from the class consisting of imidazoline surfactants and betaine surfactants and having a hydrophobic C.sub.7 to C.sub.12 hydrocarbyl group, the solution having a viscosity of at least about 1000 centistokes at ambient temperature, and then scraping the hair having the softened adherents.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the hydrophobe is a C.sub.8 hydrocarbyl group and the surfactant concentration is about 2%.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which the applied composition is worked into the hair.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which the scraping is effected with a mass of metal wool.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which the metal of the metal wool is stainless steel.