TICK NUMBERS ON THE RISE IN CAIRNS

Unfortunately, we have seen an explosion in tick numbers in recent months, so please be vigilant and protect yourself, your family and pets.  Here are some helpful tips on tick prevention/protection and new methods to remove ticks safely. 

Yard Maintenance

1. Discourage bandicoots, wallabies, possums and other small animals entering your yard through installing animal exclusion fencing low to the ground. These animals are common host to ticks. 
2. Mow lawns regularly as ticks climb on long grass/ vegetation and sit with legs extended waiting to attach to a host. This is called questing.
3. Trim unnecessary shrubs/undergrowth to allow sunlight through reducing moisture which lessen their habitability.

Personal Protection

1. When outdoor in bushland or long grass. Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered-in shoes. 
2. Apply an insect repellent containing DEET (Rid, Tropical strength Aerogard 17%, Bushman’s 40%) or picaridin (Tropical Strength Off). The repellent should be applied and re-applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 
3. Regularly check your entire body for ticks, paying particular attention to areas behind the ears, back of the neck, scalp, armpits and groin.

Tick Removal
Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) advises to freeze not squeeze ticks.
They have found using common household tweezer or even worse, pulling a tick off with your finger, releases more toxins to the body. Which inturn increases your chance of a severe allergic reaction and other pathogens.
 
If you're not allergic to ticks, ASCIA suggests using ether-containing sprays (Medi Freeze Skin Tag Remover and Wart-Off Freeze) spray five times to freeze the tick, wait 10 mins and then remove.

For small ticks (nymph ticks) use a cream containing permethrin (Lyclear). Wait 1-3 hrs and then remove. This method is recommended for children under 4, no matter the size of the tick. All these products are available at your local chemist.
 
For more detailed information click the link below to view ASCIA methods to remove ticks safely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=4FGYD-0XHgE

The Department of Health recommends using only fine tipped forceps for grasping the tick at the head and pulling upwards. Avoid squeezing the tick body.
 
If you start experiencing an allergic reaction for the first time or have a known allergic reaction, seek urgent medical attention. Call 000 for an ambulance or go to the closest hospital emergency department.

Pet Protection
Use preventative tick control products and ensure you re-dose as often as the label recommends. Talk to your local pet supplies or vet for which product best suits.

We hope these tips help. If you find your home over run by ticks, we are here to help - SR Pest Control. We can provide a tick treatment to reduce tick numbers.

References
http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-11-02/the-tick-debate:-how-should-you-pull-them-out/7541358
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-tick-bite-prevention.htm