212 FERRET FACTS AND FANCIES. 



Ticks. — In the Southern and Central States 

 ticks will be much worse than farther to the 

 north, where they are not so numerous or none at 

 all. Much of the ferret's actual work is apt to be 

 in tick infested places. While one, two or even 

 more will only sap a little of the ferret's blood, 

 yet they should not be allowed to remain on the 

 ferret. It is not best to pull them off but to 

 apply a mixture of 1 part paraffinc to 8 of SAveet 

 oil, which will either kill or cause the tick to 

 back out. 



Lice and Fleas. — Unless nests and nesting 

 are changed frequently and ferret hutches and 

 sheds cleaned and disinfectants used occasion- 

 ally, owners are apt to find their stock bothered 

 with these insects. While they will not kill ani- 

 mals, yet they should be gotten rid of. By spray- 

 ing a ferret with spirits of camphor you will kill 

 many of the insects. Those not killed will mostly 

 be in such a condition that they can be readily 

 combed out. The combing should be done over a 

 kettel of boiling or very hot water. Ferrets hav- 

 ing lice will require more than one spraying. The 

 second should be about a week later to get rid of 

 nits which have hatched in the meantime. A 

 third spraying a week or ten days after the sec- 

 ond may be necessaxy. Sleeping quarters will 

 also need attention: The mixture of paraffine 



