TICKS — BISHOPP 403 



ticks from the animals to prevent the droppin^^ of any of the 

 engorged females. In removing ticks from dogs it should be borne in 

 mind that there is danger of becoming infected even through the 

 unbroken skin by crushing the ticks in the process of removing them. 

 Therefore, it is advised that the ticks be piclced off with forceps and 

 tliat tlie hands be thoroughly washed after the operation. 



It is advised that tick bites be avoided as much as possible by 

 wearing clothing calculated to keep the ticks off. High-topped 

 shoes laced over army-type trousers help to exclude them. Too much 

 dependence, however, should not be placed upon the exclusion of the 

 ticks, and the body should bo thoroughly examined at frequent inter- 

 vals when a person is working or walking in tick-infested areas. 

 Special attention should be given to the examination of the scalp as 

 the ticks seem to prefer such a location for attachment. 



This tick is especially abundant in wooded areas which are heavily 

 grown up with vines and underbrush. This condition not only gives 

 the ticks protection but it also protects the small wild rodents upon 

 which the young ticks feed. This at once suggests the desirability 

 of cleaning out undergrowth and destroying small wild rodents in 

 the vicinity of habitations and camps. In areas where hawks, owls, 

 and other predator}'' birds abound all that is necessary is to remove 

 the brush cover and thus expose the mice and other rodents to the 

 attack of these birds. Fortunately this disease carrier does not 

 appear to feed to any great extent upon the game birds and animals. 



THE KOCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER TICK 



In the Rocky Mountains and the intermountain area wood ticks 

 are very abundant. This species has been given the name Rocky 

 Mountain spotted fever tick because it is the principal carrier of 

 this terrible disease of man in that region. This species {Derma- 

 oentor andersoni) is related to the American dog tick. In general 

 appearance it is not unlike the American dog tick, the body color 

 being a rich reddish-brown and the back of the male tick being deco- 

 rated with a network of lines. (See pi. 8, fig. 1.) 



In addition to its importance as a carrier of Rocky Mountain 

 spotted fever, this tick, as has been indicated, also produces tick 

 paralysis in man and domestic animals and acts as a transmitting 

 agent of tularemia. Furthermore, it is a serious pest of livestock. 

 Its bites are a source of considerable annoyance to people and not 

 infrequently produce rather serious local lesions. 



The habits of this tick are very similar to those of the American 

 dog tick. It has been found to feed in its various stages on a large 

 variety of animals, the most important hosts of the immature stages 



72774—35 27 



