CATTLE TICK

Hokitika Guardian, 30 January 1932, Page 6

CATTLE TICK

SOUTH ISLAND IMMUNE. DEPARTMENT TAKES EVERY PRECAUTION. CHRISTCHURCH, January 28. Despite reports that cattle tick is spreading south in the North Island, there seems no reason to be alarmed regarding thi s pest- in the South Island. With ,t-he exception of several insects found on an animal on a Nelson farm some years ago, there have been none reported in the Smith Island, and it may reasonably be assumed that the island is entirely free from cattle tick. No risks are taken, however, the Department of Agriculture being iullv talive to the .serious position which would obfaitf if the pest gained a bold in the South Island. All cattle shipped from the cattle tick areas in the North Island to the south are carefully inspected before shipment. The loophole in this inspection is 'that the t'cl; in its early (stages is almost indiscernible to the naked eye. In the later stages ol development it is only too prominent.

AN unpleasant insect. A fairly largo insect, the tick anchors jitself to a beast and buries its head into the flesh so (tightly that when it is removed the body snaps off and leaves the head behind. It usually attacks the beasts in the bare pads ol their bodies, such as in the vicinity ol the udders, where k lives by 'Sucking the animal's blood.

Elaborate precautions were taken by the Department when the tick was ■located at Nelson some years ago, and it speaks well lor the thoroughness 1 I the precautions that km tick has made no further appearance in the South Island. How the pests came to be transported to N<?hon is still a mystery, ai-

though one theory is that they were carried by a gull. It: is considered unlikely by experts that the tick would make much headway in Canterbury because of 'the openness of the country which nklilates against the breeding of the pests. IX TTTT NORTH ISLAND. 11l the North Island, the tick appeared first on the East Coast six years ago, and has since progressed .soiilnwnrds into areas previously tree I nun it. Wairoll saw the Mick for the first time this season, six properties having them. As in the case of dm isolated ticks found on the Gisborne Flats, imuli.ite action was lab’ll by tin- Gov ci iirneiit inspector, and constant al'U-n----tion is paid to the affected herds.