Tick Treatment Guide

About Ticks

There are many species of Tick within Australia they are commonly found in moist bushland particularly on the eastern seaboard of Australia. The tick hatches from an egg into a larva that is a brown colour and about 1mm long, the larva then develops into a nymph which is around 2mm long and pale brown in colour. The adult tick varies in colour depending on the species however one of the more notable species, the Paralysis Tick, when engorged is a grey blue colour and 1cm in length. After hatching, the tick depends on a blood meal in order to develop through their life cycle. The tick receives this blood meal from a host which can be either human or animal. Ticks attach to their host by piercing its sharp mouthparts into the skin and injecting an anticoagulant into the host to allow the tick to feed from their blood.

Why are Ticks a problem?

Because Ticks feed from the blood of humans and animals they can readily spread serious disease to ourselves, our family and our pets. Tick-borne diseases occurring in Australia include Queensland tick typhus and Flinders Island spotted fever. In some cases, after a tick bite, a person may suffer an allergic reaction, the most serious being anaphylaxis in these circumstances a bite may result in a doctor or hospital visit. Ticks can be potentially fatal to Dogs & Cats and can cause paralysis.

Inspecting for Ticks

Check your pet To inspect your pet Slowly rub your pet's coat to check for bumps while looking for bites. Pay attention to the areas around the animal's tail, ears, eyes, armpits, and between the toes. If you find a tick remove it with a pair of tweezers and drop them into a bowl of methylated spirits.

Check your home Also check your pets bedding as ticks can live in corners and crevices of dog beds, check furniture  thoroughly in the seams and folds and where cushions meet the backs of upholstered furniture that your pet sleeps on also.  Ticks can enter your house through windows and doors so check around door and window frames and skirting boards.

Check your backyard To check your backyard for ticks grab a torch and look in leaf debris, long grass and trees, rock retaining walls, wood piles and anywhere your pet likes to spend time.

Pre-Treatment Measures

• Remove any possible water sources around your around home and garden for example: tyres in the yard, saucers under pot plants, plant debris that can hold water such as palm fronds.
• Screen windows and doors to prevent them from entering the home.
• Regularly clean roof gutters to prevent them from blocking.
• If you have a pond in the garden consider getting some goldfish for the pond as they will eat the mosquito larvae.

How to Get Rid of Ticks Outside

Treating Ticks

To treat ticks apply Killzone prepared emulsion to outside surfaces of buildings and surrounds including but not limited to foundations, verandahs, window frames, eaves, patios, garages, pet housing, soil, turf, trunks of woody ornamentals or other areas where ticks congregate or have been seen.

To treat for Paralysis Tick

Apply 25gm of Coopex Residual Insecticide per 2.5L water to outside surfaces or buildings and surrounds including foundations, soil, turf, trunks of woody ornamentals and other areas where ticks have been seen.

Always read product label prior to use.