Tick Pest Control

The tiny tick is a blood-sucking parasite that feeds on warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs and sometimes humans! As they take in more blood, ticks grow from 3mm to 12mm, and at their largest can be the size of a marble. These miniature arachnids have eight legs and can be grey, brown, reddish brown or black, although after feeding they may change colour. In Australia, the Paralysis Tick and Brown Dog Tick are the most problematic.

This pest is covered in our home protection plans.

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From Preparation to Treatment

Control methods like veterinary recommended tick medication for pets are very important as a preventative action before infestation occurs.

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Once a tick gains access to your home, the problem may get out of hand quickly, as they can be prolific breeders.

We have numerous customised solutions available. It starts with a site analysis. Start yours today by calling us 13 14 40

Flick Pest Control can treat both inside and outside your home for ticks using a two-step application of pest control products.

Common Tick Questions

  • 01Where do ticks live?

    Ticks require moist and humid conditions for survival, which is why they often dwell in long grass. This is also how many pets pick up ticks on walks. On your property, they will hide in walls, eaves and pillars. The paralysis tick rarely climbs higher than 50cm.

  • 02When are ticks most active?

    As they love humidity, ticks can become a problem during the warmer months. Summer is also when their eggs hatch. They have huge reproductive potential, laying up to 2500 eggs at one time that will hatch within 40-60 days. Tick eggs are encased in an impenetrable shell, which means that chemical sprays will only be effective on ticks that have hatched.

  • 03Why are ticks considered pests?

    Ticks can be extremely dangerous to both pets and humans. They can make you seriously ill, and potentially kill your cat or dog. Symptoms of ticks in humans include fever, headache, joints and muscle pain and more. Australia is mostly free of tick-borne diseases, but they have been associated globally with the spread of Lyme disease.

  • 04Do I need professional pest control?

    Your first line of defense for your pets is a regular flea and tick treatment. Flick also offer internal and external sprays for tick infestations. This is a two-step process which blankets an area with protection. You should also take the opportunity to wash your pets’ bedding in hot water.

  • 05What else can I do to prevent ticks?

    To prevent ticks in your garden, regularly mow the lawn. If you can, avoid walking your dog in long grass. It’s also important that you regularly give your pet a flea and tick treatment. If you do find a tick, use tweezers to remove it, being careful not to crush the tick and get the blood on your skin.

Common Ticks

Paralysis Tick

Appearance

Paralysis Ticks have a grey body, with one pair of brown legs close to the head, then two pairs of white legs and another pair of brown legs closer to the body. Approx. 3mm – 10mm.

Lifestyle

Paralysis Ticks love moist, humid environments and they are especially common in wet sclerophyll rainforests. They have few predators – their primary nemesis is the sun and dry, high temperatures, which can lead to desiccation. They need to have a host to progress from larvae stage, as they require a blood meal. Once you have an infestation, insecticides and treating an area is your most effective weapon.

Habits

While Paralysis Ticks are more common in the summer months, they can be seen year-round. These ticks attach to pets and inject a neurotoxin which causes progressive paralysis and respiratory depression. If not treated immediately, the animals may succumb to the deadly toxin and die. Ticks can attach anywhere to a pet but are mostly found from the shoulders forward.

Brown Dog Tick

Appearance

Oval, flattened shape. Reddish brown, grey when engorged. 3mm (Unengorged) – 12mm (Engorged).

Lifestyle

Brown Dog Ticks are particularly common in the Top End of Australia, where the humid conditions are just right for them. Ticks are out of control if you can see them crawling up your walls – they can crawl up to 50cm. To break the cycle, you need to control ticks both on and off the dog. Flick Pest Control will perform a two-step chemical treatment to ensure the area has blanket protection.

Habits

This tick gets its name because it is commonly found on domestic dogs. It typically does not bite humans and is usually found indoors and in kennels. It is typically found in warmer climates and needs to be removed as soon as possible. Transmits parasites which can cause a fever, can also cause anemia in pets.