Aussie Finch Forum

Interesting article by Bill Hilton on epidemic of Bird Ticks in the south-eastern USA. Many people like Bill Hilton think you should leave them on the birds if you notice Tick infested bird or birds, I find it disgusting, I could never let the birds go if I caught one with Ticks clearly visible all over the bird. All you need is a little bit of wire and a cigaret lighter. Heat up the wire and all you have to do is touch the Tick, it will detach himself immediately, but anyhow, aren't we all bird lovers!
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek060115.html

https://www.facebook.com/HiltonPond

I would assume that ivomec would also work for bird ticks (please correct me if I'm wrong) would think that would be easier than burning each tick off.

Unfortunately ivomec doesn't work very well.
Fipronil (frontline Spray) can be used...or just pull them off- works better than chemicals!

I have seen a heap of ticks on reptiles when I used to have a "zoo" in the backyard when I was young (40 yrs ago) but can't recall ticks on my birds or those that came into my possession. Do we have a problem here?

I've never seen ticks on birds around here & we get plenty on dogs, cattle & ourselves at times. Have seen them on wallabies, snakes, bandicoots, rats, hares, etc. but not birds.

Poultry get them commonly and I have seen them on various aviary birds including corellas, black cockatoos and some wildlife including magpies.

Do we have a problem- not really, but if you have a bird that's having problems standing/perching and you live in a paralysis tick area then it's always worth checking the bird for ticks.

Poultry also get other ticks.

I lost a hen Squatter Pigeon about two years ago and at the same time my handraised Curlew also had one and was unable to walk or eat for three days, but gradually came good after having the anti-tick treatment at the local vet. I've never had any trouble with ticks before or after that event.

Years ago I pulled out a nest of Indian Mynah birds infested with Red Mites and Ticks, I also caught a Sparrow full of Ticks which ended up dying soon after I removed the Ticks. I'd say they are definitely around. Also traveling down from Charters Towers through Charleville to NSW there was a PUB right on the border, we were told not to sit outside on the timber deck it was apparently infested with chiggers and Ticks. Don't know if that's the same thing but according to Wikipedia, Chiggers are native to North America they might have been small ticks.
I my aviaries I like to grow "Queen Anne's lace", it gives the aviary that seance of crispiness a pleasure being in it both for me and the birds. I received an email from a US breeder saying I shouldn't, they are known to attract chiggers but it's been ten years now I have never noticed Chiggers. I'm almost sure Chiggers are not same as Ticks.

A cursory look at the howstuffworks website shows mites and ticks seem to be basically the same except for size. Mites 0.8 to 3mm, ticks 3 to 29mm. A chigger is a mite, it seems.