Texas Cattle Fever Ticks a Problem for South Texas Hunters
Brad Paisley’s hit song “Ticks” has come at time where checking for them on something other than a wife or girlfriend may be a good idea for South Texas hunters and ranchers. Hunters along the Rio Grande from Del Rio to Brownsville as well as Starr, Maverick, Dimmit and Webb counties are being notified that the state quarantine zone has been expanded by the Texas Animal Health Commission. Under this quarantine, landowners may be required to treat deer and exotic populations for the disease. Hunters should leave harvested animal hides behind and both are encouraged to call the TAHC for inspections.
The disease does not affect humans but can be devastating to untreated cattle. Texas Cattle Fever has a history dating back to 1886 where cattle in Illinois were killed by infected herds moving in from Texas cattle drives. Cattle in Texas have long been treated for ticks by using a dipping method developed on the King Ranch by Robert Kleberg. However, Mexican herds still carry the disease over the border where wildlife can be infected. Modern ways of treating deer populations include a “four-poster” method designed to distribute tickicide to the head, neck and ears while feeding. This method was originated by some Kerrville scientists for other tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme disease. “Use of ivermectin-treated corn and 4-poster technology is vital to the ongoing campaign to eradicate cattle-fever ticks introduced to southern Texas on hosts such as cattle, horses, white-tailed deer, or exotic ungulate wildlife that come across the Rio Grande from Mexico,” says entomologist John George, who leads the research at Kerrville. “By using all our resources and knowledge, it will be possible to minimize or eliminate ticks on white-tailed deer and other ungulate wildlife, keeping U.S. cattle free of Texas fever.”
When hunting these areas of South Texas, make sure that you work closely with your land owner and the local state and health officials to keep this disease in check. The Texas cattle industry is an important one to our state and is connected to providing private hunting lands that we all enjoy
August 31st, 2007 at 6:42 am
Full Name: C. Everett, TX Animal Health Commission
Phone: 800-550-8242, ext 710
Reguarding: Fever Ticks–and Hunting
Message:
Free copies of this document in brochure format are available by request. Just provide the number of brochures you will need and the mailing address. Thanks! C. Everett, TAHC Public Info
Q&As About Temporary Preventive Fever Tick Quarantines
Fever ticks: Tiny Pest, Big Problem
Fever ticks do not harm humans but are capable of carrying and transmitting a protozoa– or tiny blood parasite–that destroys red blood cells in cattle. The disease, known as â?ocattle tick fever,â? may kill up to 90 percent of infected cattle, and itâ?Ts the reason the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) was created in 1893.
With the fever tick now pushed out of the U.S. (ticks still exist in Mexico), a permanent fever tick quarantine zone 200 yards to six miles wide from Del Rio to Brownsville is managed by the U.S. Department of Agricultureâ?Ts Tick Force. (See the TAHC brochure â?oFighting the Fever Tickâ? for more information on this permanent zone.
If–or when–the fever tick â?oescapesâ? from the permanent fever tick quarantine zone, immediate action must be taken to stop the spread of the pest.
On rare occasions, temporary preventive fever tick quarantines have been established when fever ticks have been detected outside the permanent zone, or there is evidence that infestation has occurred.
How long will a temporary preventive quarantine be in effect?
A preventive quarantine will remain in effect until fever ticks are eliminated from the area.
How do fever ticks get out of the permanent fever tick quarantine zone?
White-tailed deer, nilgai, elk and red deer can act as a host for the fever tick, giving it a â?orideâ? over fences and around boundaries that would stop cattle from moving. Thereâ?Ts no evidence that these animals are affected by the disease.
The role of other exotic hoof stock is not known. Horses also can be a host, but wild hogs (feral swine) are not. Stray tick-infested cattle, or the inappropriate movement of tick-infested cattle from the permanent fever tick quarantine zone also may move the tick.
Lots of Mexican feeder cattle come in. Could they spread the fever tick?
Mexican feeder cattle are inspected and dipped prior to entering the U.S. There has been no evidence to suggest that legally imported Mexican feeder cattle play a role in fever tick movement.
My cattle herd is in the temporary quarantine zone. What if I want to move cattle out ?
You will need to have the cattle manually inspected (scratched) and dipped by a USDA Tick Force or TAHC representative. If the cattle are free of ticks prior to the dipping, a permit will be issued, and the animals must be moved immediately. If fever ticks are detected, the premises will be placed under quarantine for six to nine months. During this time, the cattle must be dipped every 14 days, if they remain on the premises.
To move the cattle from an infested, quarantined premises (itâ?Ts called â?ovacatingâ? the pasture), the animals must have two consecutive tick-free inspections and dips. A permit then will be issued for the cattle to be transported immediately out of the area.
What if I want to move cattle WITHIN the temporary Q zone?
This would require the same inspection, dipping and permitting as if the animals were being moved out of the zone. If you are moving cattle to another pasture on your premises, call the Tick Force representative for advice.
Can I send cattle to the livestock market? How about to the county fair? Slaughter?
Yes. Inspected, dipped and permitted cattle may be moved to any site. There is no slaughter withholding period after dipping.
What happens if I miss a scheduled dipping for my tick-infested premises?
There is a three-day grace period (beyond the 14-day dipping schedule) allowed for weather or unavoidable delays in dipping. However, if the delay is extended beyond the three days, the quarantine period and dipping schedule begins anew.
What is used for dipping? Is it safe?
Co-Ral is the acaracide mixed with water for dipping cattle. It is FDA approved and also safe for calves. As with any pesticide, persons should take precautions against prolonged exposure.
What about giving my cattle other medications, vaccines or treatments when they are dipped for fever ticks?
Consult with your private veterinary practitioner before administering any other drugs at the time of dipping.
Where are the dipping vats? What will it cost to have cattle dipped?
A dipping vat is in operation in Eagle Pass and in Carrizo Springs. Dipping is free, but the owner must round up, transport and present the animals.
If you bring a portable dipping vat on my land, will I have to provide the water for the vat?
No.
Will the used dip be dumped on my land after the animals are treated?
No. The â?ospentâ? dip is removed from the vat and placed in a digestor system to remove the Co-Ral.
Do goats, sheep, pigs or dogs have to be inspected or dipped? Are there restrictions, or do I need to have a permit to move these animals from the temporary Q zone?
No. These animals are not a host to the fever tick, so there are no restrictions or requirements for movement. Ruminants, including llamas and camels, are inspected, dipped and permitted for movement.
Are there requirements for horses?
Yes. Horses moved off premises in the temporary Q zone must be inspected, sprayed, and permitted to move.
Can I allow trail riders on my premises?
Yes. But the horses must be inspected and sprayed prior to moving off the premises, unless they are currently on a 14-day pass, issued by the Tick Force or TAHC.
Will white-tailed deer, elk, red deer, or nilgai have to be treated if they are on an infested or exposed premises?
Yes. On infested, exposed and surrounding pastures, these animals must be treated. Deer and other susceptible hoof stock are fed ivermectin-treated corn, applied by the Tick Force or TAHC. An alternative is to use a four-poster system with pyrethrins. Ivermectin use requires a withholding period of 60 days before slaughter or harvest. Contact the Tick Force to discuss your situation and options, or to arrange for inspection and treatment.
During hunting season, or after exotic hoof stock hunts, what is needed?
If the hunt is conducted on a fever tick-infested or exposed premises, the hides of harvested animals must be left behind until they are inspected, treated and permitted. The Tick Force would like to inspect as many hides as possible from other premises in the temporary Q zone. Call the Tick Force representative for an inspection.
I am a white-tailed deer breeder. What do I have to do?
To move deer, a fever tick inspection and treatment must be completed. A report prepared by the TAHC or USDA Tick Force also must be submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department when a transfer permit is activated. If the deer are being released on its same premises, the inspection and treatment is not required.
Is it possible for me, hunters or others to move the ticks on trucks or clothing?
Itâ?Ts not likely, but practice good sanitary measures. Brush off clothing to dislodge any ticks that might be on the fabric. Clean your boots, and shake out jackets or other items that have been on the ground. Itâ?Ts unlikely that ticks will be carried on a vehicleâ?Ts exterior.
What about property tax breaks in regards to fever ticks?
HB 967, passed in the recent Texas legislative session, provides for some relief for land owners under quarantine. Talk with your tax assessor or tax accountant.