Approximately 3400 cattle-dipping vats were constructed throughout Florida from 1906 through 1962. These vats were used to eradicate ticks from cattle and other live stock. The vats were constructed of concrete and were typically 30 feet long, 3 feet wide and 7 feet deep. The vats were generally filled with an Arsenic solution that killed the ticks. It is now known that the solutions used in these cattle-dipping vats are harmful to humans and areas with the vats may have contaminated ground water in their vicinity. Other possible contaminants are BHC, DDT, DDE and toxaphene.

For additional information, please check out DEP’s website.

If you suspect that you have a cattle-dipping vat on your property or have located one on another piece of property that has not been documented by the State of Florida, please contact us.

Cattle Dip Vats Location by County

Historically, cattle dip vats were generally filled with an Arsenic solution that killed ticks. It is now known that the solutions used in these cattle-dipping vats are harmful to humans and areas with the vats have may contaminate ground water in their vicinity. Other possible contaminants are BHC, DDT, DDE and toxaphene.

This is a list of the number of known cattle-dipping vats in each of Florida’s counties that have been accounted for thus far. There are likely many more that have not been located.

County # of Vats

Alachua: 90
Baker: 43
Bay: 29
Bay & Walton: 18
Bradford: 31
Broward: 3
Calhoun: 40
Calhoun-Franklin: 8
Charlotte: 25
Citrus: 42
Clay: 38
Collier: 17
Columbia: 53
Dade: 1
De Soto: 46
Dixie: 37
Duval: 80
Escambia: 65
Flagler: 47
Franklin: 16
Gilchrist: 29
Gulf & Franklin: 6
Hamilton: 49
Hardee: 43
Hendry: 20
Hernando: 36
Highlands: 56
Hillsborough: 112
Holmes: 52
Indian River: 17
Jackson: 104
Jefferson: 54
Lafayette: 42
Lake: 77
Lee: 27
Leon: 103
Levy: 54
Liberty: 43
Madison: 71
Manatee: 52
Marion: 88
Martin: 4
Nassau: 43
Okaloosa: 63
Okeechobee: 48
Orange: 81
Osceola: 76
Pasco: 52
Pinellas: 30
Polk: 168
Putnam: 49
Santa Rosa: 65
Sarasota: 30
Seminole: 29
St. Johns: 38
St. Lucie: 18
Sumter: 49
Suwannee: 64
Taylor: 81
Union: 24
Volusia: 84
Wakulla: 45
Walton: 55
Washington: 61