Deer/Sheep Ticks

It is not only Scotland but anywhere. Even in England ticks are on the increase. I had one on my leg last year picked up on one of the showgrounds even though the grass was fairly short and I was not wearing shorts or sandals. Fortunately we carry a tick removal tool in our first aid kit and I was able to remove it cleanly and I suffered no ill effects.

peedee

I've lost count of how many ticks I've had on me over the years, and I always wear walking trousers and boots when out. Horrid little things

With increase in ticks comes an increase in chance of getting infected with Lyme desease which can be very nasty if not treated early.

peedee

Same over here as I have already had a very tiny black one on my arm and had a long sleeved top on whilst doing some gardening a few weeks ago also have got a tick removal kit which is always carried even when we had our 2 Springer Spaniels, we do get Roe deer sometimes on our field but not as many as previous years.

Thanks for the warning Nellie. Hate ticks. Always carry a removal tool

Sadly we’ve messed up, we have far too many deer around us, several species, some not native, which are impacting negatively on the natural balance and habitats. Their predators  have been eradicated and in some areas of the UK numbers are kept artificially high for hunting purposes. One of those negative aspects is the increase of ticks which are plaguing us and our pets.

Very much aware of that peedee.  At our last house, our neighbours beautiful Golden Retriever contracted Lyme disease from a tick and sadly died within 24 hours.  The only way it was proved was because the owner was a biochemist and took a blood sample to work and examined it.

My eldest son worked in Germany for a couple of years and was bitten by a tick while working in his garden. He subsequently fell ill and was rapidly diagnosed with Lyme decease. Fortunately the doctors there are used to seeing it and it was caught early. He spent a short spell in hospital and fully recovered but had to undergo blood tests for sometime afterwards.

peedee

Last nights BBC country File ran a fairly lengthy article on the increase in ticks in the UK.

peedee

Thanks, Peedee, I will have a look at it. I believe that they also did an article on the Rutland Ospreys so doubly worth a viewing.