Common Fowl Tick

The common fowl tick is a small species that will sometimes attack humans but usually will attack and kill poultry.

  1. Reproduction

    • There are two different ways the tick can reproduce: argasidae mate off-host (when the female is not eating) and ixodidae mate on-host (when the female is eating). The on-host reproduction process is the most common form. The tick will lay approximately 2,000 eggs at a time.

    Location

    • The fowl tick is an international species but is mainly found inside poultry houses because that is where they feed.

    Argas

    • The common fowl tick's other name is Argas. It is a genus of ticks that includes other species that primarily hunt birds.

    Prevention/Solution

    • The common fowl tick is also known as a soft tick, chicken tick or blue bug. Since they are usually found in chicken houses, they can be controlled by application of insecticides including Permethrin-10 concentrate or Permethrin Dust.

    Diseases

    • While all tick species carry several types of diseases, the fowl tick typically carries Lyme disease, which is an illness that is fatal to birds.