Tips for better brown dog tick control

Identifying the brown dog tick.

Adult ticks are flat and uniformly red-brown with tiny pits scattered over their backs. As female ticks feed, they become engorged and swell to a grey-blue or olive colour.

Where is the brown dog tick found?

The brown dog tick is one of the most widely distributed ticks in the world. It is found primarily in northern parts of Australia but also inland areas of Qld, WA, NSW and Vic¹. The most common host (animal to feed on) is the dog.

Problems caused by brown dog ticks

Low numbers of ticks generally cause few health problems for pets. High numbers of brown dog ticks may cause skin irritation or dermatitis, and can sometimes cause anaemia or even death.

The brown dog tick life cycle

Under favourable conditions several generations of ticks may be born each year¹. This tick species develops via four stages: the egg, larva, nymph and adult stages.

Each active stage seeks a new host (animal to feed on) and then drops off to develop in a protected area in the immediate environment. So, all tick life stages can be found around the house in places such as cracks in flooring, kennel walls, verandas, gardens etc. The female brown dog tick may deposit up to 4,000 eggs² into the environment, which usually hatch within 3 weeks.

TICK AND FLEA CONTROL WITH FRONTLINE

Why are brown dog ticks so difficult to control?

Brown dog ticks can be difficult to control because they:

• Are temporary parasites that spend only a fraction of their lifetime on the dog.
• Are widely distributed in the environment.
• Live for a very long time.
• Reproduce at a very high rate (one female can deposit 4,000 eggs into the environment in 3 weeks!)
• Have a good survival rate in protected areas.

Controlling brown dog ticks on your pets

• Regular examination and grooming of pets is recommended. If a tick is found on the animal, it should be removed immediately.
• As part of a brown dog tick control program it is vital to treat pets with an effective, long-lasting tick preventative.
• Use FRONTLINE SPRAY every 4 weeks for brown dog tick control on cats.

CONTROLLING BROWN DOG TICKS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

• Brown dog ticks spend a large proportion of their life time in the environment, therefore treating the environment is an essential component of any brown dog tick control program.
• Clean indoor areas, kennels, etc in order to remove as many ticks as possible. Then treat the environment with an approved pesticide spray or dust.
• In many cases dogs will pick up ticks while walking through bush or overgrown areas. Limit your pet's access to these areas during the tick season.
• Remove unwanted stray dogs and cats, wildlife and rodents from your pet's environment.
  

References: 1. www.tickalert.org.au/rhipsang.htm Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) 2. Small, L. The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Agnote - Nothern Territory of Australia. Nothern Territory Government, Darwin, Australia: 2005. K16,5. 3. Hamilton, G., Vasvary, L. Brown Dog Tick Control, FS007, RutgersCooperative Research & Extension, (2002).