Dealing with Ticks

Living in the southeast, I suspect all of us have had to deal with ticks from time to time.  If you haven’t, count your blessings!  Most of the time we think of tick control for our dogs and cats, but unfortunately ticks will also often hassle our equine companions, and for those that trail ride or even seek out a shady spot with their horse on these sweltering days, both horse and rider can be in danger.  While living on their host and feeding on our blood, ticks can transmit nasty germs that cause diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, which can both cause serious problems for the rider.  In addition to the rider, ticks can be a nasty nuisance to our horses.  As with us all, some horses tend to be more sensitive than others, and some will develop nasty wounds from tick bites.  On my own horse I wondered and worried summer after summer what kind of nasty fly was causing the welts and wounds after a bite, until I asked my veterinarian one day and was surprised to find out it wasn’t a fly bite at all, but a reaction to a tick bite. 

So what is the best method of tick prevention and control?  First, it’s best to avoid frequenting heavily wooded areas if at all possible.  Mowing of weeds and tall grasses in pastures and around the barn area is also critical.  Not only will mowing take away the habitat and environment ticks like to live, but it will also minimize the chances for encounters with snakes!  Insect repellents and pesticides are helpful too, both for us and our horses.  Those containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are very effective at controlling tick, as well as other pesky insects such as mosquitoes and flies, and let’s not forget fire ants we might pick up in the pasture or anywhere on the farm or trail.  Fly control products labeled for use on horses and livestock may also help prevent tick bites,  popular products for ticks in particular are the “spot-on” type insecticides available at most farm and feed stores.  These often last up to two weeks and are very convenient in situations where horses are continuously outside or at times where daily applications of fly spray may not be an option.  Spot on products not only help control ticks, but also other flying insects such as gnats, mosquitoes and flies.  In addition to insecticide application on the animal, heavily infested areas or areas near woods can also be treated with ground application of liquid or granular pesticides, such as Sevin (carbaryl).  Remember when using granular products to do so before a rain event or water the granules enough that the pesticide will be released.  

Here are some other interesting facts to know about ticks:  They are most active in spring, summer and fall, but sometimes even winter.  If a tick has not found a host to feed on by fall, most will move into a sheltered location and become inactive until the next spring. A ticks mouth parts are barbed and it produces a glue-like substance to help hold onto the host once bitten.  A female tick usually feeds 8-12 days until full and can increase her weight by 100 times!  Eggs of a female tick found in crevices or a pile of leaves will hatch within two weeks, and the female can produce thousands of eggs.  The complete life cycle of the tick varies by species, but can be from just a few months or up to two years.  

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this article as a convenience to the reader.  The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.  Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label.  Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical.  For assistance, contact the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office in your county. 

Written by Eileen A. Coite, Sampson County Extension Director