Tick control is not unlike that used for fleas
in that there are no shortcuts, no sure cures, and the battle
must be on-going. Tick control is a two-step process, in that
measures must be implemented to treat both the environment and
the pet. Ticks, despite all their legs and ugliness are not hard
to kill.
Environmental
tick control
Tick
control in the environment generally involves treating the yard
and kennel areas. We prefer an environmentally-safe spray containing
fenvalorate for this purpose. Spray every thirty days during the
peak tick months. In our area, that is April through November.
Regardless of the product used, remember not to spray when or
where runoff could go into lakes or rivers. Read the label on
all insecticides thoroughly and apply them as directed.
Remember
the cold, frosty fall weather does not kill ticks, and in fact,
that is when the deer tick numbers are at their peak. In Northern,
Wisconsin, the best time to contract Lyme Disease is during September,
October, and November since the deer tick is the primary carrier.
The point here, is to treat the yard late into the fall and early
winter.
Removing
leaves and clearing brush and tall grass from around the house
and kennel areas can help reduce the number of ticks.
The
Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most troublesome
tick in kennels and yards and is found almost everywhere. It can
complete its life cycle in about 2 months, and although uncommon,
it can become established indoors. If you do encounter an indoor
tick problem, then use a flea and tick fogger. Fog as you would
for fleas. In the house, ticks tend to crawl to a higher area
(like they do in grass). They may be found in cracks around windows
and doors. Because of this tendency and the fact that ticks crawl,
and do not jump or fly, another option is to apply a 1-foot barrier
of insecticide such as a flea and tick powder where the carpet
meets the wall around the entire room. As a result, ticks moving
to the walls to climb higher will come in contact with the insecticide
and be killed. And, finally, remember to wash the pet's bedding
regularly.
Tick
control on your pet
Keeping
pets out of grasses and woods helps to reduce their exposure to
ticks. But any animal outside can quite easily have a tick crawl
on board. Products that kill and repel ticks are needed.
Products
for pets are many and varied and include once-a-month topical
products, sprays, powders, dips, shampoos, and collars.
Permethrin
should NOT be used on cats. Instead, use a product containing
pyrethrin or fipronil.
Once-a-month Topicals: Once-a-month topical insecticides
are applied to a small area on the back of the pet, are probably
the easiest product to use, and generally, last the longest. Some
kill fleas and ticks, and others just fleas, so check the label
carefully. Ingredients generally include permethrin, pyrethrin,
or fipronil. Examples of these products include Bio Spot for Dogs,
Defend, and Frontline Top Spot. Revolution, which contains selamectin,
is a monthly topical product that controls American Dog Ticks
(Dermacentor variabilis) only.
Sprays:
Flea and tick control sprays can come as aerosols or pump bottles.
When using a spray, you do not have to soak the pet with the spray,
but be sure to spray all parts of the animal. Spray a small amount
on a cotton ball to apply the product around the eyes and ears.
Do not get any of these products in the eyes. Follow your veterinarian's
and the manufacturer's directions on how often to spray, and spray
in a well-ventilated area. Sprays often contain permethrin or
pyrethrin. Note: Most cats prefer the pump bottles, since the
hiss from the aerosols may sound too much like the hiss of another
cat. If you are going to use an aerosol spray on a cat, it may
be helpful to spray a cloth with the product (away from the cat),
and then rub the cat with the cloth.
Powders:
Powders are generally easy to apply but can create a mess. If
you or your pet has asthma, powders may not be the best choice
of product since the powder could be inhaled. Be sure to use powders
in well-ventilated areas. Powders often contain pyrethrin.
Dips:
Dips and rinses are applied to the entire animal. They generally
have some residual activity. They should be applied in a well-ventilated
area according to your veterinarian's and the manufacturer's directions.
It is helpful to put cotton balls in the pet's ears and ophthalmic
ointment in the pet's eyes. Even with these precautions, be very
careful not to get any of the product in the pet's ears or eyes.
Dips and rinses may contain permethrin, pyrethrin, or organophosphates.
Shampoos:
Shampoos help to primarily rid the pet of the ticks it already
has on it, although some have residual activity. To properly use
a flea & tick shampoo you must be sure to work the shampoo
in over the entire body and then leave it on at least 10 minutes
before you rinse it off. This is true of almost any medicated
shampoo. Again, remember to protect the eyes and ears of the pet.
(HINT: Cats often do not like running water It is often better
to pour water over a cat with a large pitcher.) Shampoos often
contain pyrethrin.
Collars:
Collars can be effective, but must be applied properly. To
get the right degree of snugness, you should just be able to get
two fingers between the collar and the neck of your pet. Be sure
to cut off any excess portion of the collar after you have properly
applied it. Otherwise, that animal or other pets may try to chew
on the end. Check the package for information on duration of effectiveness
since many collars lose effectiveness when they get wet, e.g.;
if a dog swims a lot. Watch carefully for any irritation under
the collar. If this occurs, you may need to use a different product.
Other
collars contain ingredients such as carbamates and pyrethroids
(Adams Flea and Tick Collar).
Do
NOT use collars containing Amitraz, permethrin, or organophosphates
on cats.
In
severely tick-infested areas or for dogs who spend a lot of time
outdoors and in the woods, we have found a Preventic Tick Collar
in addition to a permethrin-containing product such as Bio Spot
is going to give your dog the best protection. This collar contains
Amitraz, which is FDA approved to use in conjunction with most
other flea and tick products. With the Preventic Collar, 95% of
the ticks will detach and die within 24 hours.
Remember,
with any tick preventative you use on your pet, the ticks must
actually be in contact with the active ingredient to be killed
by it. For instance, if you only use a tick collar, you may see
ticks attached and feeding on the dog, even directly under the
tick collar. This has to happen for the tick to take in the insecticide
and die. A good tick collar will kill the tick in 24 hours or
less. This greatly reduces the risk of tick-transmitted diseases
since it generally requires more than 24 hours of attachment for
disease to be transmitted.
Even
a pet who is treated with an insecticide could potentially get
a tick that attaches for a sufficient time to transmit disease.
Vaccines for Lyme Disease for dogs are available to provide that
extra protection.
Tick
control for you
The
following recommendations on tick control for people have been
made by the federal government's Center for Disease Control:
It
is best to avoid tick-infested areas especially during the times
of peak tick numbers such as spring and late fall. If you are
going to walk through areas where ticks could be a problem, wear
a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. Tuck your pant legs
into socks or boots, and tuck your shirt or blouse into your pants.
If you wear light-colored clothing you will be able to spot ticks
more easily. Try to walk in the center of trails to avoid long
or overhanging grass and bushes. Spraying insect repellent containing
DEET on your clothes and exposed skin, except for your face, will
help. Or, you may want to treat your clothes, especially pants,
socks and shoes, with permethrin which kills ticks on contact.
When
you come in from the outdoors, remove your clothing and wash and
dry it at a high temperature. It is a good idea to inspect yourself
carefully for any ticks. If you find an attached tick, remove
it carefully. Check out our article 'How do I safely remove a
tick?'
Even
if you are careful, there is the possibility that you could be
bitten by a tick that could transmit Lyme Disease. A human vaccine
against Lyme Disease has recently become available for persons
with increased risk of tick exposure.
