AbstractThis study assesses the socio-economic impact of the dipping programme as well as determining whether there is any economic justification for the government to control ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Northern Province of South Africa. The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 125 small-scale farms in the Venda region of the Northern Province. At 4% mortality rate, the cost-benefit analysis revealed a ratio of 0.8 and it is sensitive to changes in the mortality rate. This ratio indicates that the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases by government is not economically justified. However, because of the economic nature of the service it provides (public good) and the significant socio-economic benefits to poor households, it could be argued that cattle dipping still deserves government support. The currently envisioned tick control strategy is based on an integrated tick management system where acaricides are strategically applied.