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Ticks are ectoparasites which live by haematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are of considerable veterinary importance, particularly in warmer climates where they can cause substantial economic losses through decreased productivity and most importantly by disease transmission. They are also important in human medicine as they cause [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease Lyme Disease] (borreliosis) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick-borne_meningoencephalitis tick-borne encephalitis/meningoencephalitis].

Ticks are ectoparasites which live by haematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. Ticks are of considerable veterinary importance, particularly in warmer climates where they can cause substantial economic losses through decreased productivity and most importantly by disease transmission. They are also important in human medicine as they cause [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease Lyme Disease] (borreliosis) and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tick-borne_meningoencephalitis tick-borne encephalitis/meningoencephalitis].

Ticks decrease productivity by causing fleece and hide damage, preventing animals from feeding (tick worry), ascending motor paralysis and anaemia. Infestation can also lead to secondary infection from [[Myiasis Producing Flies|blowfly]] and '''screw-worms''' leading to '''strike'''.

Ticks decrease productivity by causing fleece and hide damage, preventing animals from feeding (tick worry), ascending motor paralysis and anaemia. Infestation can also lead to secondary infection from [[Myiasis Producing Flies|blowfly]] and [[Myiasis Producing Flies#Screw Worm Myiasis|screw-worms]] leading to '''strike'''.

The soft ticks are only of importance in warmer climates, whereas the hard ticks cause significant problems in both warmer and temperate climates.

The soft ticks are only of importance in warmer climates, whereas the hard ticks cause significant problems in both warmer and temperate climates.