Protecting Livestock Against Ticks in Pennsylvania

ticks can be found anywhere on the body ticks usually select areas that are warmer and more protected with thinner skin like the chest under the jaw flank and underbelly mane ears eyelids or brisket area or elbow. In many cases there is a local skin reaction that can be felt as a small lump.
How do I remove a tick from my animal?
Should you find a tick on your animal it should be removed immediately. Tick removal from animals is the same as with people. It is important to not crush or squish the tick as the tick may regurgitate potential pathogens into your animal through the bite which may increase the risk of pathogen transfer. In addition do not apply any agents to the tick like oils petroleum jelly heat or fire paint nail polish remover or similar. Using a sharp pair of forceps or tweezers grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight away from the skin slowly. Ticks can be placed in a small plastic bag in the freezer and saved for future pathogen testing if desired.
from getting on my livestock or horses?
Tick prevention starts in the environment and is aided with onanimal control methods. Pasture modifications can be made to reduce contact animals have with wooded perimeters where ticks are often found. Moving fence lines 10 feet from the edge of the woods and keeping vegetation in those corridor areas mowed short and free of debris can prevent tick movement towards pastured animals. Eliminating brush and woody debris like fallen branches from the perimeter of pastures can reduce small mammal habitat which in turn reduces immature tick hosts. Because ticks are susceptible to drying out they are not found in sunny areas with low cut grass. Mowing grasses in pastures and

reducing weeds eliminates suitable sites for ticks to search for hosts
and cutting overhanging branches to allow sunlight can reduce humidity which can help dry ticks out and kill them. It is not necessary to chemically treat pastures for ticks. However if pastures include wooded edges these areas can be treated with acaricides to reduce tick presence.
If possible animals should be checked for ticks frequently. Daily checks are recommended for horses in areas at risk for tick bites since the pathogen that causes Lyme diseases can transmit in a little as a day. As ticks are often small before they feed thoroughly
checking animal skin with both hands and eyes may be more effective than using your eyes alone.
Pyrethroid products such as permethrin or cypermethrin wipeon or spray repellents shampoos dusts ear tags pouron products or similar applied to animals can be helpful. However many topical treatments are not meant for extended protection and generally last four to eight hours. These products also do not guarantee prevention of tick bites so checking animals for ticks should be continued even with application. Make sure that all products used are labeled for use on the animal they are intended and follow all label application safety and disposal instructions.