Order Acarina,
The Paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus, is by far the most dangerous tick where domestic pets and humans are concerned.
This tick can cause paralysis in a variety of forms but usually symptoms begin with weakness of the hindquarters that progresses to total paralysis of all four legs. Other typical early signs include an altered bark or meow and vomiting. By the time the chest muscles and muscles of the throat have become affected, the dog or cat will be in very serious trouble.
The Paralysis tick is known generally, to be only found along the eastern coast of Australia, with evidence that they are now in parts of Western Australia. It can also be found inland if suitable habitats are on offer.
Ticks need humidity and mild weather to develop and will not survive and breed in cold climates. In northern parts of Australia, paralysis ticks may be found all year round, while in southern areas the season goes from spring through to autumn.
A common misconception is that Paralysis Ticks only occur in New South Wales during Spring and Summer. Although more abundant during summer, the lack of very cold winters can see these ticks active year round and equally as lethal to cats and dogs during winter as they are in summer.
The female tick lays between 2500 and 3000 eggs that incubate for around 60 days.
The newly hatched nymphs have only six legs but during later moultings, will develop the classic four pair of legs shared with all other arachnids, including spiders and mites.
To enable moulting to the next stage, and prior to each additional moult, the tick nymphs require a blood meal.
Obtaining a blood meal is achieved by climbing onto bushes (usually no higher than 500 mm) and “questing” or moving their front feet about. This is in the hope of attaching onto a passing host. The host will often be a bandicoot, possum or kangaroo, but equally likely to be a dog, cat or human. Birds also are known to be unwitting hosts of ticks. In fact, any warm blooded animal will suffice.
The complete lifecycle, including four moults usually takes around 12 months.
Occasionally, children can display symptoms of paralysis. Urgent medical attention must be sought as deaths have occurred in the past.
As well as paralysis, these ticks are also know to transmit Tick Typhus and are known to cause anaphylactic shock in some victims
Current expert opinion suggests that there is no evidence to believe that Australian ticks transmit Lyme Disease.
Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not fall out of tall trees and it is unlikely they are blown about by the wind.
Do It Yourself Pest Control
- 1. Potassium oleate, a natural soap, easily dissolved in water, is effective against various pests such as thrips and aphids. It interferes with the respiratory processes. It will control the larval and early nymphal ticks but not the more mature nymphs and the adults. It is a very benign substance, but should not be relied on in any situation where older nymphs and adults are a major problem. My personal thoughts are that I can not take the risk of losing my dog, so would not rely solely on such a benign treatment.
- 2. There are a number of pesticides available to licenced pest controllers. Although these products are greatly affected by rain, and should be repeated throughout summer/autunm, this method should still be the preferred method if paralysis ticks are prevalent in your back yard. Some are designed and registered to control ticks other than the Paralysis Tick. At least one product is available specifically for use against the Paralysis tick. It is granular, mixed with sand, and applied dry. This method, used in conjunction with the liquid spray application, despite the added expense of dual treatments should be the preferred strategy.
- 3. A reliable individual treatment specifically for pets such as Advantix or Frontline should be used on a regular basis throughout the year.
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