There are so many things that can go wrong with goats and ticks are one of them. Thankfully, ticks aren’t as common on goats as one might think but they can pose a problem so it’s really good to pay attention to your goats as the spring and summer months progress.
And with ticks for anyone or any animal, it is always best to prevent that bite instead of having to treat the bite.
If you’re a goat owner, you need My Goat Binder. With knowledge comes confidence and it will help you immensely with all of the treatment plans, schedules and records.
All the Information You Need about Ticks on Goats
You may be wondering what ticks to look for. Well, the ticks that might inflict your goats are usually three-host ticks and the three tick species that are documented to get on your goat are the American Dog Tick, the Gulf Coast Tick, and the Lone Star Tick. They each look a bit different but they all can cause problems in your herd.
What makes it hard to control these ticks is that each life stage can parasitize different animals which is what the term three-host tick really means.
And it’s important to be able to distinguish between keds and ticks. Keds have 6 legs and ticks have 8 legs, so that’s an easy way to know which one you’re dealing with.
Alright, you know what little bug you’re looking for, now let’s talk about what to do to prevent those nasty creatures from crawling up your goat.
What can ticks do to a goat?
A goat with a tick will have higher levels of stress. They can also limit and animals growth and affect their production. When a goat is filled with ticks, they can die from blood loss.
Ticks carry diseases and infections and it’s best if you keep them off you, your property and your goats!
Chemical Options for Preventing Ticks
I tend to lean towards the more natural options when raising my goats and my family. But there are times when chemicals are needed and thankfully are an option.
Sevin
Sevin® Insect Killer Granules kill ticks at all life stages and keep protecting for up to three months. Spread a 5-10 foot perimeter around your goat area and then water them down.
Permectrin II (more natural insecticide)
Permectrin kills flies, lice, mites, ticks (including ticks that carry Lyme disease), fleas, spiders, mosquitoes and cockroaches. Just be aware that it will harm bees that are directly exposed to it.
Asuntol
Asuntol is in a soap form and it is recommended to soap the animals and leave the soap for a few minutes, rinse with water and repeat. This soap can be used to prevent ticks but also claims to kill ticks as well. Goats don’t like to be wet but used wisely, this could be an option.
Natural Options for Preventing Ticks
There is an option that you can use for yourself and for your goats that is more natural. This mixture can be mixed up and put into a spray bottle and sprayed onto your goats every day or two.
Natural Spray
This is what it contains:
- 2 C white vinegar.
- 1 C water.
- 10 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or citrus essential oil. Any one of these will act as a tick repellent.
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil which is an antibacterial tick repellent.
Birds of Bug Prey
And keeping chickens in the area the goats are grazing will also help keep the population down. But what I’ve found is that guineas are an EXCELLENT way of reducing the population of ticks.
Guineas cruise. I mean they move from one end of your property to the next eating the entire way. They move across a property much more than my chickens do. So I will always have guineas because I like the odd birds and they help with the ticks and unwanted bugs.
But don’t discredit that any of your birds like ducks, turkeys, and geese will also help keep the population of ticks down as well.
Even encouraging and providing a habitat for all birdlife, like robins, jays, and bluebirds will help you out too!
Limit Tick Carrying Animals
Deer and mice are heavy carriers of ticks. Do what you can to limit both of those animals from the pastures and areas that your goats will be dining in.
Where to Look for Ticks on Your Goats
Even if you are using preventative treatments for your goats, it’s important to look over your goats regularly to see if they have any ticks hidden anywhere.
For goats who have horns, you’ll want to check around their the base of their horns. Typically it will be the Gulf Coast Tick who hides there. So as you check your goat, you’ll want to rub your hands over your goat starting at the head and moving down the neck, withers, and under the armpits. Then check back through to the back legs and between the legs and udder area. You’ll want to check their ears and their bottom area as well.
What To Do If You Find a Tick Attached to Your Goat
If you find a tick on your goat, or yourself or anyone or anything around you, remove it immediately. If it has already bitten into the skin, find a very find tipped tweezer and pinch as close to the skin as possible. As you’re pinching, pulled upwards with a steady pressure.
There are sever ways of removing ticks that can detach the mouth parts inside the skin or cause it to regurgitate which increases risk of infection.
- Do not twist
- Do not soak with an alcohol filled wipe, rag or cotton ball.
- Do not cover with petroleum jelly
- Do not use a match head.
After the tick has been removed, wash thoroughly and then disinfect the area really well. You can then put the tick in a ziplock bag and take in to your vet for further examination.
Conclusion
With the uprise in tick related sickness and long term illnesses connected to them, this is a serious issue if you live in an area that is tick prone. You certainly don’t need to add this problem to your goat herd so take the precautions mentioned in this article and keep an eye out for any ticks that want to ruin the good thing you have going with your goats!
