Ticks

 If you have small children and or pets, there is always a concern that a tick can latch on and you are unaware of it until bathing your child or grooming your pet. Once you come across a tick on a child or pet, the next concern is how to remove it and then to try to identify the species. Is it a Paralysis Tick or a Brown Dog Tick or another species?  After removing the tick place it in a glass jar for identification of the species.  

Distribution area of Paralysis Ticks

Cairns, Port Douglas, Mossman, Innisfail, Atherton Tablelands, Mareeba, and Kuranda are in the Paralysis tick distribution zone which extends from the tip of Cape York down the East Coast to Victoria.   

Are ticks seasonal?

Ticks are usually more abundant in November and December. However, it is important to check pets consistently [every two days] all year round. 

Ticks Feeding

During the developmental stages from larva to adult, the tick must have a blood meal to continue from one stage to another. The larval stage requires a native host (a bandicoot, kangaroo or possum) for its blood meal, although later developmental stages are not so host specific. The adult female must have a blood meal before it can produce eggs. The adult male does not feed on blood and therefore does not attach to a host. 

What are the symptoms of Poisoning for a child?

So what are the symptoms of poisoning from a paralysis tick for a child? 

What are the symptoms of poisoning for an animal?

The following symptoms start to appear 3-7 days after the tick has attached itself to the animal:

  1. Loss of appetite, lethargy, and depression.
  2. Discharge from the eyes may be present
  3. Paralysis is first evident in the hind limbs when the animal finds difficulty in walking and coordinating its movements.
  4. Vomiting may be evident, followed by grunting and wheezing.
  5. Paralysis extends to the forequarters, along with difficulty in swallowing.
  6. Eyes may show distress, and the pupils dilated.
  7. Death may be caused by respiratory failure brought about by paralysis of the throat region, or heart failure may occur. 

What should I do after I remove a tick on a child?

If symptoms of poisoning develop on a child consult with your doctor immediately. 

What should I do after I remove a tick from an animal?

Any animal that has picked up a tick and you are concerned it is a Paralysis Tick. It should be referred to a veterinarian as soon as possible as the peak symptoms for Paralysis Tick may not be evident until some time later. 

How did my child or pet pick up a tick?

Ticks climb to the top of vegetation (approx. around 50cm) and hitch a ride on a passing human or animal on clothing or fur. 

Are Ticks disease carriers?

Yes, there are three tick-borne diseases in Australia, Q Fever, Queensland Tick typhus and Flinders Island spotted fever. See information on Lyme Disease.

What can I do to help reduce ticks in my yard?

  1. Remove excess vegetation in the yard.
  2. Eliminate moist areas in the yard. As ticks lay their eggs in very damp areas, such as under bark and debris.
  3. Check pets at least every second day for ticks.
  4. Treat your pet with a product that is specifically designed to control ticks. 
  5. Exclusion of native animals in your yard. As the paralysis tick, larval stage needs a native host such as a bandicoot, kangaroo or possum to feed on. (However, later developmental stages are not so host specific).

Treatment preparation

  1. Mow your grass
  2. Treat your pet /s with an approved tick product.
  3. Remove pet/s food and water from the yard and replenish after treatment is completed.
  4. Remove pets from the yard until the treatment is dry.
  5. Remove children’s toys from the yard.
  6. If the yard is dry, wet the yard one [1] hour before treatment.

Treatment

Our Peter & Paul’s Pest Control Technician will perform a thorough inspection and treatment of your yard using an approved product for ticks. 

Get a free quote for a tick treatment 

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