Birds host ticks in the immature stages of larvae and nymphs. They attach near a bird’s eyes, ears, and foreheads—places where they can’t be reached by a beak. Ticks have been found on the faces of birds and in their feathers. The tick parasite sucks blood out of the bird just as it does on cats, dogs, and humans.
Some birds are natural predators of ticks. Ground-feeding birds like chickens and guinea fowl eat ticks, and their favorites are deer ticks. As zoning for chicken coops is becoming more common in urban and suburban areas, it may be possible to house chickens if you have a tick problem on your property. However, neither chickens nor guinea fowl could ever eat enough ticks to eradicate the whole population on a property. Certain beetles, ants, and spiders also attack ticks. Fire ants are known to be effective at eliminating ticks. But they also sting and bite anything or anyone that threatens their mounds.
Fortunately, ticks don’t infest houses unless they are carried inside by a dog or cat, in which case they can lay eggs that may cause numerous infestations. Always inspect your pets after they’ve been outside to make sure they are free of ticks. It also helps to maintain the grass and shrubs around your house, and keep it trimmed so it’s not an attractive home for ticks and other pests. Use Tick Killz™, the all-natural safe tick control as a sure way to keep down the spread of ticks.
