Small but very dangerous - argas ticks

Argas ticks belong to the subfamily of Isxoid ticks and are divided into two types: ornithodorins and argazins. Their popular name sounds like soft or awaiting ticks. They earned such nicknames due to their body structure and commitment to settle in secluded places such as burrows, crevices and cracks, as well as nests and grottoes. Representatives of some species can live in various outbuildings, there are also those that are found in the crevices of rooms whose walls are made of clay.

Description

Argasum mites are the largest representatives of their family. The size of their body can be from 3 mm to 3 cm. It is flattened, has an oval shape and is covered with a dense folded leather cover, which stretches during bloodsucking.

In most species of argas ticks, the body is framed around the perimeter by a characteristic strip. The oral apparatus is located on the lower part of the abdomen, and there is also the proboscis, through which the food occurs.

Lifestyle

As mentioned above, argus ticks prefer to settle in secluded places. In such shelters, they multiply, and the full cycle of their development takes place there.
Development includes the following stages:

• egg - the female makes small masonry in several cracks;
• larva - leaving the egg, it immediately begins active nutrition;
• nymph (3 phases);
• adult is an adult.

On a note! Moreover, if the surrounding conditions are not favorable, the number of nymphal stages will increase.

Over the course of her life, the female makes several clutches and is generally able to produce about 1000 new individuals. She divides each clutch into parts, leaving eggs in portions in portions of 15-20 pieces. This period occurs at the end of summer and lasts until about September. After some time, larvae with a rounded flat body on thin long legs emerge from the eggs. In this case, the oral organ of the larva will be advanced. Then comes the stage of the nymph and completes the developmental phase of the imago.

Food

Blood is the only food source for ticks and argus ticks are no exception. More often they parasitize on birds and animals, but sometimes they can attack people. At the same time, each individual species will have its own taste preferences:

• a tick, or Alveonasus lahorensis, feeds on the blood of cattle (both small and large), horses, camels, donkeys and dogs;
• chicken, or A.Persicue - affects the inhabitants of the chicken coops;
• township, or Alectorobius Тholozani - attacks horses, cattle (both small and large), donkeys, dogs and cats;
• Alect. Asperus - prefers the blood of goats and dogs;
• Argas reflexus and Alect. Coniceps - parasitizes on the body of pigeons.

However, many species can feed on the blood of small rodents.

On a note! But even with a prolonged lack of food, argus mites are able to exist. Adults in the absence of a host can live up to 14 years, larvae - up to 2 years!

Malware

In relation to animals

With a large number of colonies, argus mites are very dangerous. Having attacked the animal, they damage its skin, reduce productivity and after a while the host is noticeably depleted.In addition, with a bite, the saliva of the parasite mixes with blood, which subsequently leads to the development of acute diseases, sometimes to paralysis. Moreover, if treatment is not started on time, then infected animals die a month later.

On a note! In the southern regions of Russia, the peak of cattle mortality from attacks of argas ticks occurs in December and January. At this time, nymphs are especially active, spreading the disease in record time - it takes no more than two weeks to infect an entire herd of parasites!

An infected animal can be recognized by its behavior. When attacked by argus ticks, they begin to behave excitedly, show anxiety, itch and constantly look around, hoping to notice the source of discomfort. After some time, such animals will observe a small tremor in the body, stability is violated and soon they completely lose their ability to stand on their feet and lie down. With a stable body temperature and normal appetite, a pulse disturbance is noted, breathing is difficult and becomes superficial. If you pay attention to the eyes, you can notice a significant expansion of the pupils, and foam will be separated from the mouth along with saliva. The mucous membranes acquire a pale shade, sometimes with a blue.

Important! This disease is very dangerous and within five days after the onset of the first symptoms, death occurs!

In relation to man

If an argas tick does not find its natural host, it attacks a person. The greatest activity of parasites in this case will fall at night, but sometimes they bite during the day.

An argas tick bite is quite painful, and the body can react to it with an allergic reaction. First, a dark red spot appears on the affected area, then bloating with liquid bloody contents appears on it. In this case, the bite site is very itchy, and the area around it is covered with a rash. This reaction is caused by the fact that the saliva of this parasite is very toxic.

Argas tick bites can provoke the development of the following diseases:

• Caucasian tick - transfers endemic relapsing fever.
• Settlement - distributes spirochetes, which, in turn, are causative agents of borelliosis and tick-borne relapsing fever. At the same time, these pathogens can be in the human body both immediately after a bite, and when mite waste products enter the surface of the skin.
• Representatives of some species are able to tolerate invasive diseases and various infections. Pathogens in this case penetrate the body within a minute after a skin puncture.

Important! Typhoid fever and hemorrhagic fever are among the most dangerous diseases transmitted by argus ticks. And to prevent the sad consequences, immediately after a bite, you must consult a doctor!

Ways to fight

Animal protection

Before processing infected premises that contain animals, all cracks, crevices and holes must be carefully repaired. Then the surface is sprayed with insecticidal solutions (all animals must be bred). Walls, ceilings and fences are carefully treated.

Used drugs:

• 1.5% chlorophos solution;
• benzophosphate solution;
• a mixture of chlorophos and DCVF ("Aerol2").

After disinsection, the processor leaves the room and after a couple of hours it is well ventilated. After all activities, animals can return to their stalls.

The animals themselves can be treated with special acaricides. However, these funds are used exclusively for the prevention of attacks of argus ticks. In the presence of parasites on the body, the use of acaricides is useless. In addition, it should be borne in mind that at high air temperatures, these drugs can provoke toxicosis. Especially often this happens when processing young and pregnant individuals.And in order to prevent this condition, it is necessary to apply acaricide to the body of animals in the evening, when the room becomes cooler.

Bird protection

When a chicken tick appears, all poultry must be treated with 2% chlorophos dust or 7.5% sevine dust - one individual will need about 5 g of the drug, after which all sucking pests are removed from the body.

Then the infected chicken coops carefully inspect and immediately process all the cracks and crevices in which argus mites can hide. If necessary, these places are first opened and only after that a 0.25% suspension of Sevin is introduced. After processing, the slots must be repaired. Next, the nests and wooden elements located in the chicken coop are carried out in parts and thoroughly washed with hot water. All damaged parts must be lubricated with spindle or solar oil.

Advice! Poultry pest control is recommended after the onset of cold weather, because it is at this time that the mites move to warm rooms!

Processing adjacent land

After the animals and premises have been fully processed, an audit of nearby plants and buildings nearby should be carried out. If parasites were found on the trees, their bark must be sprayed with hexachlorane.

The external walls of the foundation and fences must also be inspected, immediately close all existing cracks and crevices, and then treat the surface with acaricides. Spraying is carried out two to three times, since in one treatment it will not be possible to destroy all individuals hiding in the depths of cracks. In addition, these parasites can go into the soil, and their exit from the substrate occurs gradually. Therefore, acaricides must be used periodically for two to three years.

In addition, it is advisable to remove garbage from the yard and carry out deratization work that will allow the destruction of small rodents.