Tick Control in Sydney, Northern Beaches and North Shore
Article by Bruce Gow
Are you looking for long term, safe and professional tick control? Ticks are small but deadly pests known to cause paralysis, and even death, in both animals and humans. They are a common problem for residents of Sydney Northern Beaches and North Shore, and are often difficult to deal with without expert assistance.
If you’ve got a tick infestation don’t waste time. Call us now for a quote or to book in for an urgent treatment. With over 35 years of experience in Pest Control you can count on us to do a proper job! Call today to get rid of infestations before the warmer weather hits on 0417 251 911.
Interesting commentary about lyme disease and the tick connection. More information soon on the spread of ticks in the Northern beaches and the Sydney areas.
In our experience anywhere near the bush where there are possums and bandicoots such as Beecroft and Wahroonga. I would have to say that the peninsula suburbs of Palm Beach, Avalon, Bilgola Plateau, Warriewood and Newport are probably the most prevalent. All The Sutherland Shire areas are at risk and to the Upper and Lower North Shore, these localities are very commonly infested: Hornsby, Lindfield, Roseville, St Ives, Turramurra, Castle Cove, Cremorne Point, Hunters Hill, Lane Cove, McMahons Point, Mosman, Riverview, Willoughby and Woolwich,
“After experiencing 7 small ticks in a matter of 2 weeks in July we thought the coming tick season is going to be a bad one. We got A1 Pest Control in to spray the garden immediately and we have not seen a tick, on ourselves or our cats, since. After spending thousands last year saving a cat from tick paralysis this service is one of the best around.” Sue Kelly, St Ives
Paralysis ticks are unfortunately the most common type of tick found in Sydney, an area they find hospitable due to its large leafy swathes and lush foliage. The tick’s native habitat is within such vegetation, so if a pet or a resident regularly spends time outside in these sorts of densely planted areas, the risks of becoming victim to a tick dramatically increase. Protect your pet and family by calling today on 0417 251 911
Professional treatment is essential in such cases, as failure to provide such measures may put both humans and pets at risk of the health problems associated with ticks.
SYMPTOMS YOUR PET MAY EXHIBIT WITH TICK PARALYSIS:
Loss of normal appetite
Weakness in the hind legs or forelegs. Not being able to stand up properly
Barking irregularly or weakly
Coughing or vomiting
If your pet is showing any of the above, take your pet to your vet A.S.A.P. – tick paralysis is potentially fatal and requires urgent veterinary attention.
Make a good examination of your pet for ticks & use a tick removal tool in order to remove them carefully.
Tick Removal Tools Review
So which one is the most effective? The following are what I have researched online:
Tick Twister
- Removal of the tick without having to squeeze it, which reduces the risks of spreading the infection
- Mouth-parts of ticks aren’t left in your skin
- Both small & large ticks are able to be removed
- Easy way to remove the ticks with safety
- Only takes a couple of seconds without any pain
Tick Key
- Ease of Use – It is a tick removal tool that uses forward leverage for removal of the tick head and body quickly with safety without touching the engorged tick. Effective for removing all species of ticks no matter what size on pets and humans.
- Handy to fit on your key-chain or your back-pack when outdoors
It’s the season for Fleas and Ticks
They’re both tiny and problems, but there are numerous basic differences between fleas and ticks.
You’ve probably heard the old joke of one flea saying to the other: shall we walk, or take the dog?
That’s close to the mark, especially in spring and summer, not only for fleas, but also for ticks, who thinks of Man’s Best Friend as their summer home, and plan to take up residence for generations unless something is done about them.
Although wingless, fleas, which usually measure between 1.5 to 3.5 mm in size, can jump as far as 220 times their body length, or 150 times their body height. Not only that , but they can leap 10,000 times in succession, with excellent leaping capabilities of up to two feet.
The lifespan of a flea is about 100 days, and their preference is once they have found their way onto a dog, they like to stay.
Fleas want to stay on the dog for their entire life, feeding off the hound, then breeding when the eating process has been completed: they drink multiple times their own body weight in blood.
The fleas generally lay between 20 and 40 eggs a day, with those eggs transported wherever the dog goes, so any hair being shed could mean the fleas land just about anywhere, including on humans, although the incidence of human fleas has lessened.
Fleas, which have 6 legs as adults, but no wings, and prefer warmer climates and temperatures to cold, and look to live inside.
Dog owners should be made aware that these annoying creatures carry diseases such as bartinellosis and tapeworm to your dog.
Fleas, which are strong, can often be detected if the family pet cat or dog continually itches, or if a family member is bitten.
Over the holiday period, many families find the flea population has multiplied significantly, with thousands of the critters baying for a blood meal.
Flea larvae need sandy soil, 80 per cent humidity and 25 degrees warmth – par the course for most Australian eastern States most of the year.
It’s also worthwhile for clients to keep pet flea treatments up to date, and to ensure regular vacuuming of carpeted areas and rugs, as well as under furniture and the pet bedding.
Fleas are bloodthirsty creatures whose digestive tract cannot use all the blood and so much of it comes out as dried faeces, also known as flea dirt.
Flea dirt looks similar to coarse ground black pepper and may be seen on the pet, in pet beds, carpets, rugs and other areas where your pet likes to hang out.
FLEA AND TICK CONTROL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN SYDNEY & NORTHERN BEACHES
Advantage, Advantix, Advocate, Aristopet, Capstar, Comfortis, Fido’s Flea powder, Frontline, Kiltix, Nexgard, Panoramis, Revolution, Sentinel, and Virbac tick collars
So what are the risks associated with a tick infestation?
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions are one of the most troubling issues associated with tick infestation. This is because the symptoms of an allergic reaction vary dramatically between individuals. While some individuals suffer only from mild itching in the tick-affected area, others find themselves at risk of deadly conditions such as anaphylactic shock.
Paralysis
The aptly-named paralysis tick is capable of inducing paralysis in both human and animal hosts, making it extremely dangerous. Children and those with suppressed immune systems are most likely to suffer from tick paralysis, with those affected demonstrating symptoms such as weakness, rashes, flu-like symptoms, and tenderness. These symptoms typically worsen over time, and can be deleterious if the tick at fault remains undetected.
While taking precautions such as wearing light-coloured clothing and using insect repellents may be of some benefit against ticks, these approaches only deter ticks from biting—they don’t actually help with tick control. Similarly, while cutting back overhanging foliage and keeping grassy areas mown and in good shape may help reduce the risk of ticks, these approaches are far from fail-safe.
Treatment
Brigade is a granular insecticide that is proven to be very effective and is the only registered tick control treatment in Australia. Take care when deciding on a pest control firm as not many make use of Brigade and you could end up getting stuck with a tick treatment that doesn’t last! Brigade gets into all the cracks and crevices in the garden as well killing any ticks that are hiding out of sight. Brigade is completely non-staining, odourless and non-sensitizing which provides an ideal treatment for any home or commercial property that wants a tick control treatment which doesn’t leave evidence or harmful chemicals.
- Because Brigade comes in a unique sand formulation it is one of the easiest Tick control measures to apply. Simply spread the formulation evenly to achieve a lasting effect
- Another benefit of the sand formulation is that the granules actually roll and move into small cracks and crevices (harbourage areas for insects)
- Can be applied using broadcast machinery for en masse application
- Non-scheduled
- No odour, no staining, and not harmful to plants
- Broad Spectrum
- Faster knockdown and lasting effectivity due to the hardy formulation
- Affordable!
Brigade is certified for use on both residential and commercial premises to effectively target and control various manner of lawn and turf insect pests. This includes various ant species, fleas, and ticks, while the insecticide schedule allows for it to be applied on both public and private buildings and lawns as well as areas that might be identified as “sensitive”
such as;
government premises and schools, as well as other areas where the use of insecticides are restricted to lower schedules only.
The sand formulation slips into cracks and crevices where it controls the problem while out of sight and out of mind.
In comparison with other granular formulations Brigade is superior in the actual flow of the granules out of the applicator, meaning that they roll better and reach deeper into the cracks and crevices where other other formulations will pile up and spread ineffectively across any given area.
We ONLY use Brigade when it comes to the control of ticks as it is proven to be effective and provide a residual effect that protects yourself, your children, and your pets from harmful ticks such as the paralysis tick.
Brigade is effective against: Ants (broad spectrum of effectiveness), Fleas, Ticks, Lawn Armyworm, Sod Webworm, Argentine Stem Weevil
If you want to ensure that your property is safe from ticks and their potentially life-threatening bite, then you should seek professional advice. Currently only licensed pest controllers are capable of applying NSW’s only registered tick control product which has the brand name of Brigade.
So if you have a tick problem that needs to be addressed, call us on 0417 251 911 for more information or to arrange a low toxic environmentally friendly solution that is extremely effective in controlling ticks.
Tick Poisoning
Symptoms and treatment of tick bites
Control of Ticks
Tick Paralysis and Tick Bite Allergies
In addition to transmission of infectious microbes, ticks may cause paralysis, allergies, and severe toxic reactions in their hosts.
In humans, this affliction is manifested by a gradually ascending paralysis, beginning with the loss of sensation and motor coordination in the legs, abdominal muscles, back muscles, and, eventually, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
Unless the tick responsible for these symptoms is found and removed, the patient will undergo respiratory failure and die. Most patients recover rapidly after tick removal, but those with advanced symptoms may require several weeks for complete recovery.
Tick paralysis also affects animals, especially large ungulates. In Australia, a single Ixodes holocyclus female may be sufficient to cause the death of a full-grown cow or bull. Thousands of cattle died in the western United States and Canada because of paralysis induced by the bites of D. andersoni
Other than finding and removing all the feeding female ticks, there is no known cure. Some ticks also cause severe allergic and toxic reactions. A notable example is the African tampan Ornithodoros savignyi , the bite of which may cause cattle to salivate, tremble, gnash their teeth, become disoriented, and even die.
A similar condition, known as sweating sickness, is caused by ticks of the genus Hyalomma , especially H. truncatum . The illness is characterized by fever, loss of appetite, sweating, lachrymation, salivation, and, usually, death. However, there is no paralysis.
Diseases
Lyme disease and tick typhus are just two of the dangerous diseases associated with ticks. Tick typhus causes headaches, rashes, glandular swelling, and fever, and lyme disease shares many of these symptoms.
Some general details about ticks
Paralysis in animals – The adult tick is the most dangerous stage in the life cycle of the tick, although younger stages may cause paralysis when present in large numbers.
Tick dispersal – Tick may be transferred from vegetation on such things as clothing and picnic rugs, as well as animal fur. Ticks do not jump; they merely adhere to the body or legs of a passing animals.
Sara Robinson, an epidemiologist working for the Centre for Disease Control, states that everyone needs to be switched on about the risks of lime disease and the range of other tick borne diseases that pose a threat to anyone, especially children and pets! Personal protection against ticks is essential all year round if you’re living in the Northern Beaches or North Shore. Tick control is a growing issue across Sydney and many are oblivious to the risks that come along with it.
Fleas are a commonly found on properties that have pets as well as a tick infestation. Though fleas don’t pose much of a threat to us they can be a huge hassle to our pets and an annoyance to homeowners that have to put up with the constant itchiness that accompanies a flea infestation. Ticks and fleas are both tiny pests which makes them that much harder to track down and exterminate.
Though ticks prefer longer grass and thick brush, fleas on the other hand enjoy hanging out in lawns as well as the cracks and crevices inside your home. It’s true that a surface spray or can of pesticide will kill fleas that it reaches but due to the fact that fleas are often also out in the lawn or hiding in little cracks it can miss them and they’ll just re-infest the home! A1 Pest Control recommends a comprehensive tick or flea treatment to be carried out by a qualified firm such as ourselves.
Another essential step in creating a tick and flea free home is using a product such as Frontline Plus for your pets. Frontline Plus is one of the most well reviewed and recommended flea preventative treatments for pets on the market. Just have a look at these reviews!
lovemydogs
We love to use Frontline Plus for our 2 labs because it is waterproof.
Our dogs love to swim when we go up north and I don’t have to worry
about they flea control between applications!
GregsZoo
I have bought Frontline for all my animals with excellent results.
I live out in the country with large yard for both my dog’s and cat’s to roam and Frontline works great for both flea and tick control. Highly recommended.
DrIndigo
Frontline is pretty much the industry standard for flea and tick treatment.
I recommend this to everyone.
JeanieCC
No fleas here on our six critters and munchers…not even during the predicted flea months
We use it faithfully once a month. Good stuff!
As you can see Frontline Plus is truly an industry standard we recommend using such a product as well as regularly bathing your pets with a safe and certified permethrin based shampoo. Making sure that your pets are regularly inspected for ticks or fleas, washed with a flea killing shampoo and regularly vacuuming your home are the key steps to preventing a ticks and flea infestation in your home.
A1 Pest Control has the experience, training and attitude to take care of any pest issue that you have. We have over 35 years of experience and have treated nearly every pest scenario you can imagine. If you’ve noticed fleas in your home or are approaching the warmer months and know that you’re in a high activity area for ticks then give us a call on 0417 251 911 or email us at info@a1pestcontrol.com.au
Reviews gained from http://reviews.petco.com/3554/12686/frontline-frontline-plus-for-dogs-reviews/reviews.htm
TICKS (ORDER ACARINA)
Ticks have their head, thorax and abdomen fused into one region and in this way may be distinguished from spiders. They have four pairs of legs in the adult stage, although, like mites, the immature forms have three pairs. Ticks may cause the death of warm-blooded animals by introducing toxins into the bloodstream, or cause non-fatal infections.
There are many species of ticks, and their identification is usually a task for the specialist. General entomologists mostly refer ticks to a specialist, except in cases of better-known species.
The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is an introduced species that has become established in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. In these areas, it is the usual tick on dogs, but it can also be found on cats, sheep, cattle, horses and humans. In Queensland, it is blamed for transmitting ‘Q fever’ – a typhus disease.
The Australian paralysis tick is often encountered on animals and its life cycle is considered here in detail.
Australian paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus)
The Australian paralysis tick is distributed mainly along the eastern coast of Australia, from Queensland to Victoria. The species seems to be most abundant of the coastal plain.
As a result of the presence of the paralysis tick, poisoning kills many domestic animals, particularly cats and dogs, as well as causing discomfort and illness. Infrequently, this tick causes death to humans. Humans showing tick-poisoning symptoms should be referred to a doctor and, for animals suffering from tick poisoning, the services of a veterinary surgeon should be enlisted.
Developmental stages
The length of the life cycle of the Australian paralysis tick varies and may, in some stages, be very protracted. There are four distinct developmental stages in this species – egg, larva, nymph and adult – and these are much the same for other species. Continuity of growth depends on the tick obtaining a blood meal to enable it to pass from one stage to another, and the adult female must have a blood meal for the protein that enables it to product eggs.
The adult male does not feed on blood and therefore does not become attached to an animal host and cause it distress. It may be distinguished from the female by the large shield or plate that covers its entire upper body surface. The adult female, in both the larval and nymphal stages, this plate only covers about one third of the upper body surface.
Tick Pest Control
Worried About Ticks in Sydney? You Should Be!
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the dangers that accompany ticks. And at A1 Pest Control we share your concern for your family or pets. We’re always keen to get our hands dirty and get rid of your pest problem.” – Bruce
Just recently there has been a lot of commotion about new tick line procedures in QLD as a step in improving bio security in our agriculture industry which just goes to show how big of an issue the ongoing tick problem is in Australia. Ticks are known to be carriers of diseases that can not only affect cattle but people as well. Sydneysiders, especially those living near the northern beaches, know about the Paralysis tick and how it is one of the most dangerous pests to have lurking in your backyard!
It is also the most common and problematic tick in this area (Sydney Northern Beaches). And when you consider their minuscule size, these ticks can certainly pack a punch as doctors and veterinary surgeons can testify. If you live along the east coast of Australia, the chances are you’ve seen a few ticks in your time.
Paralysis ticks live in vegetation and dine on blood – and they’re not too fussy about their ‘host’. And while most people are aware that horses, dogs and cats can be affected by ticks, many don’t realise that children and sometimes even adults may also become seriously ill when a tick latches onto them.
Here are three ways that ticks may cause illness in humans:
•Tick paralysis: when ticks remain on their host a variety of symptoms may develop including weakness in the limbs, headaches, partial paralysis (usually of the face), fever and/or rash, and even flu like symptoms. Children are more susceptible in this regard than adults.
•Allergic reaction: some individuals display an allergic reaction to ticks. In many cases the reaction will be mild however, in some individuals a severe and life threatening allergic reaction – anaphylaxis – may occur quite quickly after exposure and if this occurs, medical attention should be sought as a matter of urgency.
•Tick Typhus: relatively rare, tick typhus is a tick borne disease that may be transmitted from native animals to humans. Treatable with antibiotics, symptoms include headache, rash, fever, flu like symptoms and swollen glands.
They may be small but ticks represent a significant danger to young children and pets, particularly as they’re so tiny and may go unnoticed until symptoms begin to occur. Even then, it may be difficult to locate the tick. Prevention is better than cure so here are two things you can do to minimise the risk of your children or pets being affected by ticks:
•Trim bushy shrubs and minimise foliage around your yard – ticks tend to move onto a host when the host brushes against or walks beneath the foliage the ticks are on.
•Don’t keep shrubby areas too moist – ticks don’t like dry or very hot conditions.
If you need help with these pests please call our office at 0417 251 911 or E-mail us at: bruce@a1pestcontrol.com.au