376 FESTS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



Control is based on keeping cattle out of tick-infested pastures long 

 enough to starve out all the seed ticks. The latter do not go in search 

 of a host, but wait for it to come. Luckily this scheme works in well 

 with various desirable crop rotations. 



In the case of range animals, dipping or spraying to kill the ticks 

 on the animal is resorted to. 



The Sheep Tick {Melophagus ovinus Linn.) 



Degenerate, reddish or brownish, flattened insects, one fourth of an 

 inch long or less, suck the blood of sheep and lambs. They are especially 



injurious to the latter. The pest is most 

 numerous in the spring months. The 

 entire life round is spent on the sheep. 

 While this species belongs in the order 

 of flies, the adults are entirely wingless. 



Sheep should be dipped after shearing. 

 Various substances are on the market for 

 this purpose. Or, one of the commercial 

 tobacco extracts may be used, following 



Fiu. (HKi.-Thc Shoei) Tick. .,.,,. . , , ,, , . 



Enlarged and natural size. ;the mstructions printed on the contamer 

 Original. in which the material is sold. 



The Sheep Scab-mite (Psoroptes communis Furst, var. ovis) 



Small, sucking mites breed in large numbers under scales or crusts 

 formed on the skin of sheep. There is violent itching, and the 

 wool looks rough and ragged, often sticking together in places, 

 or falling entirely out. Attack is usually confined to the neck, back, 

 and rump, the under parts being more or less free of the mites. 

 The mites are exceedingly small, and swarm around the edges of the 

 scabs. 



Dipping of infested animals is the only thorough remedy. The 

 same materials are used as in dipping for the sheep tick, the one dip 

 serving to kill both insects. 



