Tick is one of the Ectoparasites that causes havoc to farm animals. Damaging the physiological make up of the animals and causing economic losses. They could multiple in their numbers if not the farm animals aren't treated well. Their invasion is due to many things we normally expose the animals to. Such situation like exposing the farm animals to unhygienic conditions are likely to cause tick to multiply.
Sketching the life cycle of a tick
Matured female tick lay eggs in batched on the ground, bushes, mood of woods, cool and humid places where the conditions are favourable for them. Mostly in temperature of 20° - 30° they are likely to survive. The eggs later are hatched into larvae which develops into lymphs and finally adult. In the tropics it could take 3 to 6 moths between the time of hatching to adult stage. The adult gets to the host through contact the adult tick climb and stay on leave blade of plants or grasses and as the animal rubs itself against the leaves or grasses the tick stick on them. For instance an infested animal like dogs and cattle could leave the ticks at areas where they pass. Cattle and sheep on pasture could leave them on the pasture lands. Since the ticks causes itching of skin, infected animals are fond of rubbing themselves which normally their skins are wounded or injured.
There are many species of vector ticks. Depending on the number of host ticks are grouped into one-host, two-host and three-host ticks.
One Host Tick:
Under this species of tick, the larva, nymphs and adult all feed on the blood of one host An example of one host tick is "Boophilus spp."
Two Host Tick:
The two host ticks are characterized by having the larva and nymphs feed on one host while the adult feed on another host. An example of host tick is "Rhipicephalus spp."
Three Host Tick:
All the three stages larva, the nymphs and adult feed on different host. Examples are "Dermacentor spp and Haema physalis."
Economic importance of Ticks:
The ticks suck blood causing itches on the skins of the animals like I mentioned. This as a result can lead to sores on the skin which attract flies and provides way for disease infections. We should remember that most of the animals like goats, sheep and cattles are used for making leathers and hence if ticks attacks the skin it makes the skin destroy. Again, when ticks suck the blood of animals, it leads the animals to become anaemic. Ticks are able to transmit or transfer diseases such as: Red water fever, East coast fever, heart water fever and so on.
Control of Ticks:
This by nature Ectoparasites and breed well at areas where hygienic conditions are very low. But they can generally be controlled by avoiding the overcrowding in animal pen. It's advisable to practice rotational grazing where the pasture is being rotated for the animals. Spraying or dipping the animals with recommended chemical compound and dusting with powdered pesticides in the case of poultry. Ticks can also be controlled by handpicking them from the animal's skins, especially dogs, sheep and goats and after that burning. But, with handpicking, it's not advisable since the ticks can easily get onto the farmers skins as well. But you can do it if the ticks to be picked arent plenty. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after picking them.
