When do ticks bite cattle? - briefly
Ticks feed on cattle primarily during warm, humid months—especially spring and summer—and are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when vegetation is moist. Their activity peaks when temperatures range between 20 °C and 30 °C and relative humidity exceeds 70 %.
When do ticks bite cattle? - in detail
Ticks attach to cattle primarily during warm months when ambient temperatures exceed 15 °C (59 °F) and relative humidity remains above 70 %. Adult females of most livestock‑associated species, such as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Dermacentor spp., become active in early spring, peak in summer, and decline as temperatures drop in autumn.
Key factors influencing feeding activity:
- Temperature: Questing behavior accelerates above 20 °C; activity slows markedly below 10 °C.
- Humidity: Moisture prevents desiccation; ticks retreat to the lower canopy or soil when humidity falls under 60 %.
- Seasonal photoperiod: Longer daylight periods stimulate host‑seeking behavior.
In regions with distinct wet and dry seasons, the onset of rains often triggers a surge in tick populations, leading to increased biting incidents within two to three weeks after the first substantial rainfall. Conversely, in arid zones, tick activity may be confined to brief periods following irrigation or artificial water sources.
Lifecycle stages differ in feeding timing:
- Larvae: Attach to calves shortly after birth, especially when calves are housed in moist, shaded areas.
- Nymphs: Prefer young animals during late spring; they require a blood meal to molt into adults.
- Adults: Target mature cattle throughout summer, with peak attachment rates in mid‑summer when cows are lactating and have higher metabolic demands.
Management practices affect exposure:
- Pasture rotation: Moving cattle to tick‑free pastures for at least 14 days interrupts the life cycle.
- Strategic dipping or spraying: Applying acaricides at the beginning of the tick season (early spring) and repeating at 30‑day intervals through late summer reduces the number of feeding ticks.
- Environmental control: Maintaining pasture grass at 10‑15 cm height reduces humid microhabitats favorable to tick survival.
Understanding these temporal patterns enables targeted interventions, minimizing the period during which cattle are most vulnerable to tick bites and the associated disease transmission.