Ticks and the diseases that they vector to livestock, companion animals, and humans have become an increasingly larger public health risk. There are five tick species of medical importance in Ohio including the American dog tick, the blacklegged or deer tick, the Lone Star tick, the Gulf Coast tick and the Asian longhorned tick.

A common misconception is that ticks are only active in the spring and summer. While ticks are more active April through September, ticks have a multi-year life cycle, and can be encountered any month of the year. Ticks hatch from eggs as larvae. Then, as they feed and mature, they progress through their life cycle becoming a nymph next then an adult, feeding from multiple hosts in this process. It can take 2 to 3 years to fully complete this process depending on their species. Ticks hunt via questing, where the tick uses its back two pairs of legs to hold onto vegetation and its front two pairs of legs to grab prey as it walks past. 

Cattle

As new species of tick enter Ohio, producers need to be aware of prevention practices. The newest invader, the Asian longhorned tick, reproduces asexually and quickly. Thousands of ticks can be found on animals, in the grass, and greenery. An Ohio State News article about Dr. Risa Pesapane's research project in Ohio underscores the speed with which this tick can take down a fully grown bull. 

Dr. Andreas Eleftheriou, DVM, with the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine created this series of videos to help producers identify, understand, and manage this new pest. 

Videos

Equine

The American Association for Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website includes guidance for vaccines, checking for ticks, and other protocols. Horses can get Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.

• Make sure you have a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) in place before you have a tick problem.
• Remember to read, understand, and follow the label. The label is the law.
  
  • Labelled time of effectiveness for acaricides (products that kill ticks) can be different for different tick species. The product label will include that guidance.
• Examine your horse before and after a trail ride, especially if you are planning to transport your horse to a trail in a different state or different location in Ohio. Ticks can travel on your animal, potentially bringing a new species into the state.
• Consider application of a tick prevention product on horses prior to loading into the trailer to travel to an external site, especially wooded areas in Ohio. Perform a tick check both before loading the horse and upon returning home. Find guidance on how to check and control for ticks from the AAEP in their External Parasite and Vector Control Guidelines.

Ticks aren't the only the only pests that threaten horse health. Check out information from our mosquito experts about protecting horses.