HOW TO CONTROL TICKS ON YOUR FARM

Every farmer is aware of the negative impacts of ticks on livestock, health, productivity and value.

Ticks bite, suck blood (which is their only food) and in the process spread disease causing microorganisms among them viruses, protozoa, spirochete and rickettsia which subsequently multiply and result in fatal illnesses.

Main economic losses caused by tick infestation result from reduced production, cost of treatment and reduced value of skin and hide.

Small as some may appear ticks are voracious blood feeders and heavy tick infestation can have depriving consequences on their hosts slowing down growth rate, wasting and reduced milk production in dairy herds.

Ticks exhibit a variety of host-contact patterns that are defined by their life cycles. One host tick species will spend all their life stages namely larva, nymph and adult on a single host’s body; two host and three host will use two and three host animals respectively to complete their life cycle.

It is important to know this as it not only informs the control strategies but also the disease spreading dynamics of various ticks.

Exotic animals are more prone to tick borne diseases compared to indigenous cattle and every care should be taken to protect them from ticks especially where indigenous herds are kept along side exotic animal. In such settings ticks can easily spread infections across the breeds.

How are ticks spread?

Ticks normally wait for their hosts to pass by so that they can cling onto them any walk upwards to their preferred sites, attach and suck blood.

How are ticks controlled?

Various control methods and strategies are used in the control of ticks. They aim to prevent contact between ticks and to remove or kill ticks in contact with livestock.

Tick proof buildings

This approach is used especially where exotic high value animals are kept and involves the construction of tick proof housing. Cracks on walls and floor are used by ticks as hiding and breeding places.

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