Top Places Ticks Hide on Your Pets

How Ticks Get on Pets

Ticks are opportunistic hitchhikers. They don't possess the agility to jump, but they have a strategic knack for grabbing onto passing hosts. Here's how ticks make their way onto your pets:

• Questing - Ticks climb to the tips of grass, leaves, or other vegetation and extend their front legs, ready to latch onto passing hosts. When your pet ventures through these areas, ticks seize the opportunity to hop aboard.

• Host Detection - Ticks are equipped with sensory structures that allow them to detect the presence of potential hosts. Changes in temperature, humidity, and even the carbon dioxide exhaled by animals serve as beacons for these stealthy invaders.

• Ambush - Some ticks prefer to lie in wait in areas frequented by their hosts, ready to latch onto fur or clothing as animals pass by.

Common Places You'll Find Ticks

• Ears - Ticks love the warm and sheltered environment of your pet's ears. Check around and inside the ears thoroughly.

• Neck and Head - Ticks often latch onto the neck and head areas, especially in the fur and around the base of the skull. Part the fur and inspect carefully.

• Between Toes - The spaces between your pet's toes provide a cosy hiding spot for ticks. Lift each paw and examine the spaces between the toes.

• Underarms and Groyne - Ticks seek out areas with less fur and thinner skin, making the underarms and groyne prime hiding spots. Lift your pet's legs and inspect these areas closely.

• Tail and Genital Area - The tail and genital area are commonly targeted by ticks. Lift the tail and check around the base, as well as the genital region.

• Under Collar - Ticks often hide under your pet's collar, taking advantage of the warmth and proximity to the skin. Remove the collar and inspect the area thoroughly.

How to Prevent Ticks Ever Coming Back

Now that we've mastered the art of tick detection, let's explore the proactive measures to prevent ticks from making a comeback:

• Use Tick Preventatives - Administer tick preventatives regularly for the best protection. These can include spot-on treatments like Itch Flea Treatment for dogs and Itch Flea Treatment for cats (kills ticks and lice too!!).

• Regular Grooming - Establish a grooming routine for your pets. Regular brushing not only keeps their coat healthy but also allows you to detect and remove ticks promptly (and keeps your pet looking 10/10!)

• Tick Checks - Perform thorough tick checks on your pets after outdoor activities. Run your hands over their entire body, paying close attention to the identified hiding spots.

• Maintain a Clean Living Environment - Regularly clean and hoover your home, focusing on areas where your pets spend the most time. Wash bedding, blankets, and any fabric items your pets use in hot water (at least 60°C) to eliminate tick eggs and larvae.

• Limit Exposure to Tick-Prone Areas - Be mindful of where your pets roam, especially during peak tick seasons. Avoid areas known for high tick populations, and stick to well-maintained paths during walks.

• Tick Preventatives for the Garden - Utilise tick preventatives in your outdoor area, especially if your pets spend time outside. Products like sprays and treatments can help reduce the tick population in your immediate environment.