Winter tick infestations cause the animals to scratch off their fur
The owner of a B.C. wildlife shelter wants to use paintball guns to treat moose infested with ticks.
The idea is to fire insecticide powder-filled pellets at the animals to kill winter ticks that are infesting moose across the country.
The blood sucking insects force the animals to scratch away all their fur, making it hard to survive a winter.
Angelika Langen has been experimenting with ways to de-tick moose at her wildlife shelter in Smithers.
She found some powders designed for farm animals work, but applying them to wild animals wouldn't be easy.
"We found that the powders work quite well. So if can get the powder to the affected area and you powder them up, then within 24 hours — latest 48 hours — the ticks are all dead and they fall off," said Langen.
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That is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteCan't they be shot with a dart containing a systemic anti-tick medication?
ReplyDelete9:45-Don't get that started.The next thing you know the vaccine nuts will be running around shooting everyone who hasn't been vaccinated for any specific thing that they feel strongly about.If one day soon I feel a sharp pain it's all your fault.
ReplyDeleteSo, it takes a hunter about 3 days to get a shot on a moose, and you're gonna eradicate ticks on meese with how many people with paintball guns?
ReplyDeleteYou need another plan, Babe...