Sorry ticks again!

[rubyduby]

We are removing between 10 - 15 ticks a day of the girls (each) I tried the billy not mates, but not much happening there...I have read about garlic etc. but  might this take time to build up the defence, at my wits end about it and desperately looking for a reliable sensible treatment be it chemical or otherwise, preferably something that will work asap.

Would it be worth rubbing garlic externally! we have wild garlic growing locally would that be any use int/externally ....!!!!!!!! 

[ElaineH]

Nasty, horrid things  When did you start using the Billy No Mates? as it takes several weeks for it become really effective. Have to say it works well for us but I know several people have found it makes no difference at all. I don't know how long it takes the garlic to work but it's always worth trying anyway. Ticks seem to be really bad this year     

[Emma3]

Wow, that's impressive!  Bella's only had one so far this year.

[rubyduby]

Indeed they are horrendous, started Billy no Mates around 2 months ago...might try liquid Garlic inside and out!!!

[AnnieG]

I've tried all the gentler recipes like Billy NoMates and garlic but I've given up. In a hill-farming area like this, the ticks are everywhere.  So I'm using Advantix which is supposed to stop them latching on.  I don't like it much but I don't want to risk Lymes Disease and there are enough deer to make it a distinct possibility. Advantix is not cheap either and it's a real pain trying to keep them out of the water for two days after it's been applied. But I haven't seen a live tick on either of them since I started although I have seen a few tiny, dead ones drop out of their fur.  Grrrrrr - I can't understand why five critturs were ever created: midges, horseflies, mosquitos, slugs and blimin' TICKS.

[Rufus MacD]

These spot on treatments are very effective. From vets, online or PAH.

[Pudding]

where are they on your dog   My groomer told me if thy are mostly on the head then you can apply the
front line to the face IE put it in your hand and then rub on the dogs face and ears
i dont know if it will work
I found Billy no mates works for us

[Loudon]

Yukk! They are really disgusting things. I take it you are in sheep country.

Poppy had two of these little b's and I removed them then went to the vets to get Frontline Spray which is POM.

I now use Frontline Spot On which you can get on the internet, pet shops, vets. The internet prices can be very good. Frontline offers 60 days protection against fleas and 30 days against ticks. Also controls lice infection in dogs. The ticks will still latch on but are dead within 48 hours. In reality I haven't seen any since and as I am paranoid about these things my dogs def don't have them.

There is another product called Advocate which I understand is very effective. It will kill ticks, fleas and ear mites. Also it kills worms in the dog. I think it is POM though. Maybe other members could advise further on this as I would like to know a bit more about it too.

I think with the infestation you are getting I would get the dog  a pet trim (unless showing) using maybe a No 10 or a 7FC blade then a good insecticidal shampoo that kills fleas and ticks. Boil wash the dogs bedding and hoover and  spray the house. Then Frontline the next day when dog dry.

Sorry, I'm prob OTT but these things make my skin crawl.

Good luck.

[ollie nathan's mum]

I have never seen a tick, are they obvious I'd hate to think that Ollie has them  and I havn't noticed

[Pudding]

This is a tick

[Rufus MacD]

I have never seen a tick, are they obvious I'd hate to think that Ollie has them  and I havn't noticed

Before they latch on they are just like little spiders but once they start sucking the blood they swell up and are a bluey grey colour like the one in Pudding's picture. You might think it was a wart at first but they are certainly soon big enough for you to notice.

[ollie nathan's mum]

Thanks form that, not sure that I want to see one

[cath0104]

We came back from todays walk with 3 on Max and one on Molly.  I have been giving them Garlic for about 3 months now, so i am guessing it isn't working!!!!

[rubyduby]

The ticks are all over there body even been on their lady bits...they have been clipped, but as we are in a wood surrounded by deer and sheep etc it is difficult...and they are manic swimmers, the only way to keep Ruby out of water is to keep her on a lead, we live next to a river and even have a fish pond in the garden.
I may try a dilute garlic solution (mixed with oil) and rub it into their fur failing that it will have to be a spot on solution....

[Magic Star]

I've tried all the gentler recipes like Billy NoMates and garlic but I've given up. In a hill-farming area like this, the ticks are everywhere.  So I'm using Advantix which is supposed to stop them latching on.  I don't like it much but I don't want to risk Lymes Disease and there are enough deer to make it a distinct possibility. Advantix is not cheap either and it's a real pain trying to keep them out of the water for two days after it's been applied. But I haven't seen a live tick on either of them since I started although I have seen a few tiny, dead ones drop out of their fur.  Grrrrrr - I can't understand why five critturs were ever created: midges, horseflies, mosquitos, slugs and blimin' TICKS.

When we lived on Skye we tried everything, nothing worked, frontline, didn't stop them latching on, so the risk of LD was still there.  in the end like you we felt we had no choice but  to use Advantix, we only used it through the tik season and I have to say, we never had any trouble with ticks when using it,  I would talk to your vet about Advantix if all else is failing and the girls are collecting so many passengers, it may be your only option.

Good luck x