MARK Treneman has lived in Tamworth for more than 30 years and it was only recently he found something to be ticked-off about.
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Mr Treneman reckons he’s never seen ticks in town before this summer.
And he’s got every right to be bugged, between him and his dog they’ve picked-up at least nine in the last few weeks.
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He has lived in the same location in Daruka for the last 20 years and he has never had an issue previously.
He believed it had become an issue across the Tamworth region.
Entomologist Robin Gunning believed the arachnids Mr Trenemen had picked up were Kangaroo ticks.
“I have seen them before around Tamworth in the bush, but I have not had any specimens for identification for a long time,” she said.
Dr Gunning said the ticks would bite humans as well as roos and suggested the drought could be driving them to human hosts.
Tamworth Veterinary Hospital owner Greg Ireland said there’s always been tick infestations in the region.
“They don’t cause too many problems for livestock or dogs,” Dr Ireland said.
“They’ll usually just cause local irritation.”
While the more dangerous paralysis tick “doesn’t exist in Tamworth”, Dr Ireland said it could be making its way inland.
“Paralysis ticks have been coming westward, there have been reports around Walcha,” he said.
“The native hosts could be migrating further west.
“The main concern people is going to coast for the weekend and taking their pet with them.”
He said the paralysis brought on by the ticks could be treated and preventative drugs were on offer.
The department of health has published information to dispel myths when it comes to removing ticks.
It recommends the use of fine tipped forceps and to avoid squeezing the body of the tick.
You should also avoid “folklore remedies” such as matches or pins because they will irritate the tick and make it harder to completely remove.
Avoid scratching and do not use irritant chemicals.