IIEI’OKT ON ECONOStlC ENTOMOEOGY 
‘221 
however, it does not remain attaclied to the fowl, hut, having filled itself with hlood, 
returns to its hiding place. When this meal is digested it moults for the second time and 
is ready for a third feed, which it takes in the same way as it did its second. 
.\.fter some weeks spent in retii-ement the tick sheds its skin once more and becomes an 
adult. Henceforth it spends most of its time in concealment, occasionally emerging from 
its retreat by night to obtain blood. 
Under favourable conditions, the development from egg to adult may be completed in 
from two to three months. 
A fowl attacked by ticks suffers in several ways. The irritation caused by the bites kowI ticks anri 
renders the bird restless, while the amount of blood lost is frequently sufficient to cause its '^‘sease 
ileath. This is especially the case with chicks and young growing fowls. A third and 
perhaps the most important way in which the fowl tick does harm is by transmitting an 
often fatal disease known as Spirocluetosih-J It will be seen, therefore, that if fowls are to 
be successfully reared in this country, it is very necessary to take every precaution to keep 
them free from these parasites. 
Anjaa pi^rsirnii commonly infests fowls, turkeys, ducks and geese. In Persia, it is said 
to attack man. 
Preventio'iis and reinedien. — Unfortunately, the mud structures that so frequently serve 
the purpose of fowl-houses in this country are in every wa}' suited for harbouring ticks. 
The walls of a fowl-house should contain no cracks or crevices in which ticks can hide, preventive 
and the same applies to the perclies, nest boxes and other fittings. A good plan is to liave '"easures 
the perches not connected with the walls, but supported by standards which have as their 
bases pans containing oil, or water with a film of oil on it. Another plan is to suspend the 
perches from the roof by wires, though this is hardly so effective. Various other devices 
to prevent ticks from gaining access to the fowls by night are in use in South .\frica,- where 
Argas per.<tiri(s abounds. 
If a fowl-house and its inmates are found to be infested, the following steps should be 
taken : The birds should be removed to some place believed to be free from ticks and to 
which they have not had access before. It is well when doing this to examine the birds for 
larval ticks and to treat any that are so found with sweet oil. If the fowl-house is a good 
solid structure, it may be thought advisalde to disinfect it, but otherwise it is best to pull it 
down and as far as possible burn it. Hot coal tar is said to be very effective for treating Remedies 
the walls. All wooden fittings— -e.g. perches, nest boxes, etc.—should be burnt. If there is 
a flooring of bricks, it shoxild he treated in the same way as the walls, but if it is merelj' a 
mud floor, the top layer should be removed and burnt. Ticks will also shelter under the 
bark of trees, in cracks in fences, and similai' places, so these must not be forgotten when 
cleansing the run. Having thoroughly rid the house and run of ticks and made certain 
that there are no larvae on the fowls, they may be brought back. Continual attention will 
be necessary to prevent them becoming re-infested. If there be any sign of re-infestation, 
the nest boxes and any places suspected of harbouring ticks should be treated with paraffin 
and the birds themselves searched for larvae. 
Pefore new fowls are introduced into a fowl-house believed to lie free from ticks, they 
should he carefully examined for larval forms, and a safe measure is to isolate them for a 
week to allow any larvae that may have Ijeen overlooked to drop off. If any ticks are 
found on thejn, tlie boxes or crates in which they arrived shouhl be burnt. 
' See pages .‘t7 -58 of this Koport. 
^ Cape of (food Hope Aririciilliiriil Jinirnal, September, 1003. 
