Tick Control ANT-EATER Pest Control Sydney

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ANT-EATER has been servicing Sydney property owners for 55 years.

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Tick Control

What you need to know about ticks?

Ticks are parasites often encountered in the parklands and national parks around Sydney and its outer environs. Ticks suck blood. There are many species but the one that poses most risk to pets and humans is the Paralysis tick Ixodes holocyclus. It is a coastal pest and although most bites from a tick result in easy removal and no harm done, some can result in serious illness including

Paralysis which can show symptoms such as unsteady on their feet, weakness of the limbs, rashes, headache, fever, tenderness of lymph nodes, and partial facial paralysis,
Tick typhus (an infection with a rickettsia (bacteria-like organism) transmitted from native animals by ixodid ticks) and
Severe allergic reactions, which can include a mild itching, localised swelling to widespread swelling with pain.

Want to know more about what you can do? See our tips on the next page.

» Find out tips to deal with ticks at home
» Find out about ticks and your pets

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Tips to deal with ticks at home

Here are some tips that you can use to deal with ticks.

Spray an insect repellent on your skin and clothing. If going bush walking wear light coloured clothing, as you will be able to see ticks on your clothes much more easily.

Here are some tips on tick control in your home or on your property.

Reduce the amount of moisture around your yard. Allow sunlight in to decrease the amount of soil moisture.
Reduce mulching and watering and mow lawns.
Erect fencing that goes below the ground to exclude native animals such as the bandicoot, which are the main host.
If a tick is detected action recommended by the NSW Health “Remove a tick as soon as possible after locating it. Use fine pointed tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull the tick straight out with steady pressure. If you have difficulty seek medical attention. Do not try to kill the tick with methylated spirits or any other chemicals.”
If gardening, wear a long sleeve shirt, hat and long trousers, boots and gloves. Spray insect repellant on clothing before gardening.
Reduce overhanging plants over paths and clothes lines, where people may brush against foliage.
Keep lawns mowed
Ensure pets are treated with products registered for control of ticks especially during the ‘tick seasons’, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
Keep a check of animals daily for signs of ticks on their body on symptoms of tick poisoning. If symptoms are present contact your local vet immediately.

Registered insecticides for control of Paralysis tick around your home and property require a registered pest control firm to apply. An ANT-EATER Pest Control professional can apply the correct pesticide in the right place to control ticks. See how on the next page.

» Find out ticks and your pets
» Find out how ANT-EATER Pest Control solves tick problems

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Ticks and your pets

Ticks are ectoparasites that are capable of seriously affecting pets.

Ticks embed in the animal’s skin by their mouthparts and do not move until they drop off the host to moult or lay eggs.

Types of ticks found in Australia:

Paralysis ticks
Brown dog ticks
Bush ticks

The Paralysis Tick

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) is unique to Australia and is ranked as the most venomous of the 40–50 species of tick that cause paralysis around the world. It occurs primarily on the eastern coast of Australia.

Even though it normally feeds on native animals like bandicoots and possums, which become immune to the tick toxin, the adult paralysis tick is capable of attaching to and causing symptoms of paralysis in most mammals, including dogs, cats, calves, foals and even humans. The young adult female tick attaches to an animal or a person as they brush through long grass or scrub. One female tick is sufficient to cause paralysis and death in a dog or cat.

The Brown dog Tick

The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is considered to be a serious pest of dogs in coastal and inland areas of New South Wales. The brown dog tick has no native host and it is unique in that it can survive for long periods off the primary host, the dog. There can be a massive number of ticks in the dog’s environment, either in its kennel or even in the home, acting as a reservoir for continual reinfestation of the dog. Very large numbers of ticks are characteristic of a brown dog tick infestation.

Whilst healthy dogs can tolerate large numbers of brown dog ticks with no major health problems, they can result in ‘tick worry’ (licking and scratching at bite sites) to the dog. Attached engorged female ticks appear as brown nodules on the dog. The main areas of infestation are the ears, around the nape of the neck and toes.

The Bush Tick

The bush tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was introduced from northern Japan and is found parts of Australia, especially Sydney. The bush tick causes few problems for companion animals. In large numbers they may cause irritation and, rarely, anaemia can result with large numbers of ticks. Cattle are the normal hosts for the bush tick, although it can also be found on dogs.

Symptoms of a pet affected by ticks.

The most common trigger for seeking veterinary treatment is the onset of hind limb ataxia (wobbliness, lack of coordination and unsteadiness).

Symptoms begin on average four days after tick attachment.

These include:

The nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems are affected and can cause breathing difficulties.
Initial observable signs are change in voice (bark) and slight weakness in the legs.
Loss in appetite
Coughing, vomiting or dry retching.

Clinical signs may worsen 24–48 hours after removal of the tick(s).
Adults are the stage normally seen on dogs and cats.

How to treat your pet affected by ticks.

Keep your pet still and comfortable
Search for ticks all over your pet’s body and remove ticks as soon as possible. It is ideal to use tweezers when doing this to help remove as much of the tick as possible.
Main areas of infestation are the ears, around the nape of the neck and toes.
Take your pet to the vet as soon as you can for some medical relief to ensure complications do not arise.

It is important to regularly check your pet for ticks and tick symptoms but for greater tick control, ask your vet for the best preventative product for your pet.

» Find out how ANT-EATER Pest Control solves tick problems

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How ANT-EATER Pest Control solves tick problems

Do you have a problem now?

Every day you wait can make ticks harder to eradicate. Contact ANT-EATER Pest Control Sydney to control ticks around your home or property.

Our highly qualified professionals have an in-depth knowledge of the different types of ticks that infest your property, their habits and the methods of treatment required to control them.

Our team will assess your tick problem and carry out the right treatment for your property and situation.

All pest treatments carried out by ANT-EATER Pest Control are documented and come with a no nonsense service warranty (unless stated).

Do you want to prevent future problems?

Our service is the best way to keep ticks out of your property.

Our team will assess risk areas and carry out the right treatment for your property and situation.

Should reinfestation of the pest treated for occur, a further inspection and necessary treatment will be offered free of charge within the service warranty period.

Minimise and control the tick population on your property and your pets. Call us to find out how.

» Call ANT-EATER Pest Control Sydney 1800 667 378.
» Get a quote to control ticks.

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