THE CATTLE-TICK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 79, 28 December 1920, Page 8

THE CATTLE-TICK

AND ITS CONTKOL. . Discussing the cattlo tick in a reconfc lecture, Air. A. K. Young, M.H.C.V.S., Director of th<? Live Stock Division of the- Department of Agriculture, said:— In New Zealand the cattlo tick (variety Httcmapliysalis biapinoaa) was first observed in the North Auckland district, where the mode of its introduction is obscure. This locality being extremely favourable for its development it readily increased, -with the result that if lias now spread over a large area. A line drawn from the JCniuikau to llercury Bay would leave the part to the north : 'pa -what may be described as tick-infest-ed country. From there southward to * lino from Kawhia to Opotiki would indicate where the ticks have been found in very isolated cases, Within the past few years the spread of the peat lias ' been very marked, and tho risk existed that unless checked it would overrun the whole of the-North Island. It is satisfactory, however, to note that the eottlers in the infested districts have shown a keen desire for its suppression, and havo organised themselves into administrative committees this object in yiew, their efforts in this direction (being well supported b.v the stockowners or' clean districts. This organised cooperation is a valuable aid to the Department in administering the regulations now in force. ■ ;

Only brief • Temnrks on the life-history of the cattle tick need hero bo given. Ifpon. observing an infected animal a much larger number of male than female ticks will be found. The reason, for this is 6imply that once the male gets upon the animal he is in no hurry to leave his. congenial feeding-ground; but the female, immediately she becomes fertile, proceeds to .engorge herself ns fast as possible, and wlienever this is completed sho drops off upon the ground and seeks some quiet, sheltered spot where she may deposit her eggs. After resting a few days in the spot selected she proceeds .to lay from one thousand to three thousand eggs; she then dies. The eggs as deposited are resitnnt to climatic eonditions,"so that they are not easily destroyed by adverse circumstances, _ although these would delay tho hatching, which may take place within a fortnight or extend over two or three months, according to conditions. The ticks hatched are known as "seed ticks." They are capable of lying dormant in adverse circumstances, but he com.) extremely activo whenever the weather is favourable. They can also live for some' time with- - out any food whatever. In order to sacuro its existence, however, the seed tick must sooner or later become attached to a suitable host, which in this case is cattle. The tick would have considerable difficulty in reaching cattle if it depended .entirely upon crawling across the ground and over the feet and up tho legs, as the animal in walking about •would -ho continually brushing the tick off its feet. To _ wait lint.il it got an animal in the recumbent position would also bo to reduce the tick's favourable chances for access to its host. It therefore adopts the very ingenious method of .climbing upon the blades of tall grass or on any roughage -which may take it. to a heishr where it can grip on to the legs of any Animal (including man) which may happen. to pass by. ■ Being of a. very active nature, thfe ticks soon get from the legs to the body nf cattle, and in a short, time mating takes place, with the results already described. Having regard to the fact that 1 ho * eeed-tick attaches itself ' to other farm . animals, besides cattle, it has been often suggested that all such animals should have been included in the control regulations ■under the Stock Act. When it is, realised, however, that seed-ticks may attach tliQinselvcs, to, man, dogs, hares, . rabbilfi, and even the featliered »tribe~ though all are really unsuitable liosts--' - - it will be seen that to "havo included ,«-fthese would have been to lay down some: -i thing which could not be enforced, even - if aii inspector were placed l on every farm. At. the, same time it is advisable ' that'horses and dogs in the infested dis- ' tricts should be examined by the owners ; and, if found infected, given a dip along 5 with the cattle. "Another suggestion lias ; been that a quarantine boundary line should have been drawn; but as this was considered to be useless under the conditions already described, tho regula- ; -lions were so framed that any place where ticks were found automatically became an infected area. It will thus bo seen that the' boundary is mado elastic, and that' no' formalities are-required for ; extending boundaries if or when the tick •' finds • its way into new fields. Another < point' is that although ticks may bo • disseminated by animals other than cattle ] they must be thus spread in considor- ; able numbers before it is certain that they will ultimately' become attached to cattle and breed. In the meantime, therefore, dependence is being placed ip- ■ on the chief precautions which have already been takon, arid it is strongly ro--1 commended, having regard to the habit of the seed-tick in infested places to ; climb upon the rough herbage, that all' ; gullies and rough places should be period- ; ically fired if possible. This would diminate large numbers of seed-ticks, and i_ ■ possibly eggs, for the' shorter the pasturage is kept tho less chance is there -for the tick to gtet nttnehed to cattle, and if it fails in this it will, of course, dieThere is another tick which may bo , VTconfounded with the cattle tick, one . which infests poultry and also wild feathered creatures., It is recommended that any one finding) ticks of any desoription (excluding, of couise, the-so-called sheep tick)' in his locality should fori waid specimens to the Live Stock Divi- V ■ ' sion for identification, ' The methods (in order of merit) adopted to eradicate or prevent the spread of the cattlo tick are .dipping, spraying, onu land dressing. Dipping is recognised as by far the most efficient method, for by this means unhandled animals can be 'J- just as rapidly as a docih; cow. '." ! 'ln the United States of America a tick of similar habits though of a different .variety- ftrorii Haemaphysalis bispinosa hiw beeireradicated over very large areas by .the dipping . treatment., Several already been constructed in. North Auckland, and but for the extreme shortage of cement nu:ny more would have been in existence. Aloro rapid work is now proceeding, and it is hoped thnt within a short time sufficient dips will be provided to meet all.requirements. Where public dips are constructed, . if the Department approves of the locality and structure, the Government subsidises the cost, on a pound-for-pound basis up to a limit of £150 per dip, as its share. The Government is prepared to subsidise up to forty public dips, nnd further provision will be made if necessary . The Department has had plans prepared of a good stanodard typo of cattle-dip embodying all the latest known improvements; also plans of a spray-crush, for use whore that method, which is suitable with quieter boasts, such as dairy cattle, is adopted. Full-sized working plans,' together with complete specifica- ■ tions, are available on application to the Live Stock Division by .parties nctually undertaking the construction of dips or ' crushes. Tho Auckland officers of tho division are specially equipped for giving full information and advice on all matters concerning the cattle-tick nnd its control. As regards cattle-dip preparations, stockowners'should see that they obtain a reliable brand. Great care is necessary in mixing smnll quantities of dip for sprnying, cases having occurrcd recently in which cattle have been injured by scalding due to the preparation having been used considerably over strength. J'arraere are advised to apply grease or oil to the teats of dairy cows before

these nnimnls are dipped or sprayed, in order to prevent irrigation of those parts. Tho cattle-tick regulations were framed and gazetted last year to assist tho farmer in eradicating the fpest, and to protect clean districts. A copy can bo had on application to any inspector of stock. Tho regulations prohibit tho sale or movement, of cattle harbouring ticks, and a perusal of them will showthat great.care has been taken ib bring all possible avenues of spread into their scope. Two of the sections may be quoted with a view to showing somo of the restrictions placed upon the movements of slock, ns follows "Every' person who, by himself, his agent, or servant; 'drives, without permission of tho inspector, any stock affected with cattle-ticks across or upon any land, or drives, depastures, or suffers to strny any such s;ock upon or along any highway, is liable to a fino not exceeding .£SO, and not less than .£2 for every day during which 6uch stock are so driven, depastured, or suffered to stray. "No cattle shall be shipped from any port in the North Island unless tliey have been first! examined by an inspector and declared to be free from infestation by cattle-ticks." i Thus it will be observed that no cattle can bo removed from any infected place —neither by road, railway, nor sea— until a clean certific-a'Je lias been granted; It is also absolutely prohibited to expose for salo or exhibition any stock affected with cattle-ticks.