Ticks
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Introduction
Ticks are ectoparasites which live by hamatophagy on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are of considerable veterinary importance, particularly in warm climates where they can cause substantial economic losses through decreased productivity and disease. They also also important in human medicine as they causeLyme Disease and tick-bourne encephalitis/meningoencephalitis.
Ticks decrease productivity by causing fleece and hide damage, preventing animals feeding (tick worry), ascending motor paralysis, anaemia and can lead to secondary infection from blowfly and screw-worms leading to strike.
The soft ticks are only of importance in warmer climates, whereas the hard ticks cause significant problems in both warm and temperate climates.