Feral Tick Control

Feral ticks are called hard ticks as they have a shield on the top of their bodies. The larvae can quickly grow into a few centimeters after they start feeding. Adults are normally red-brown in colour and they can be found feeding on a variety of hosts, including animals like dogs, sheep, cats, deer and even humans. Their bites are painful and can be a source of infection or diseases. These ticks are very common in rural areas across Europe and they particularly like to lie in wait on blades of grass, waiting for their next host to appear. They can stay in the woods, around grassy areas and moist, damp places and can quickly enter our homes through our pets.

Since the adult tick usually feeds on larger animals, it is not uncommon to spot a tick and then you can just pick it off your pet’s body using a pair of tweezers. You know you are successful in extracting the tick if you see a small crater in your dog's skin. Otherwise, small black lines will indicate that the head was left behind. Try to take this out or have the vet take this out as otherwise it will lead to an infection. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after handling a tick as they carry a lot of diseases. To dispose of the tick, it is best to drop it into alcohol instead of squishing it or flushing them down the toilet.

If you have heavy infestations of ticks in your area, mow your lawn regularly and use a good chemical spray. Tick collars for your pets may also be a good idea. Tick collars contain insecticides that kill ticks shortly after they attach to your animal. Keep it dry as exposure to water reduces its effectiveness. It is not recommended for cats since they are more sensitive to the chemicals and are inclined to wander away from the home more than dogs.

Spraying your home with natural and low toxic sprays can help keep them out of your house. Although ticks don't typically infest houses, it is still worth doing as the sprays will help keep an infestation under control, you may be surprised at the unbelievable number of eggs ticks lay. Chemical sprays are normally available at your local hardware store. Examine your pets and other animals regularly to see if any infestation has occurred. Prevention is always better than cure. In any case, call your local pest controller if you are unsure of how to approach the situation. They will know the solution that will work best for you and your pets.