How to Keep Ticks off of Boer Goats

The Boer goat derived its name from the Dutch word "Boer"which means "farmer". Farmers they truly are -- as they perforate through briers, rip through shrubbery and clear out massive amounts of brush. They are meat goats and can survive off of the land, making meals out of every shrub that they cross paths with. Preventing a tick infestation amongst goats is easy, but it might take some trial and error while testing these ideas, to see what works best for your climate and area of the country.

Things You'll Need

  • Sulfur block
  • Horse spray
  • Sevin dust
  • Used pantyhose
  • Disposable face-mask
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a couple of sulfur blocks from any feed or farm supply store and set them out in easily accessible places across the property. While finding ticks on Boer goats is rather rare, the infestation typically begins with a deficiency in sulfur. The goats lap up the sulfur and it gradually begins to seep out of their pores, which helps to repel ticks from attaching themselves to the goat's skin.

    • 2

      Purchase commercial horse spray, also available in feed stores or ranching and farming supply stores. Typically used on horses to keep away nagging flies, horse spray can be used on other farm animals to rid them of tick infestation. The main ingredients are permethrin and citronella.

    • 3
      A female shredding through sticks and weeds.

      Spray each goat with the horse spray starting on one side -- at the head of the goat -- and working your way down around the shoulder, rib area and back, to the flank and backside. Walk around the head of the goat -- as to not get kicked -- and do the same to the other side. Always avoid spraying the harsh repellent into the eyes, ears and mouths of the Boer goats being treated. Also, if you have a nursing female, do not spray the teats.

    • 4

      Wait a few weeks and if the tick problem has not dissipated, then an alternate route should be taken. Purchase sevin dust, a chemical insecticide that is another effective step in tick prevention. Find it at any lawn and garden store, but be sure to buy the powder form only.

    • 5

      Pour a hefty amount of sevin dust into an old pair of pantyhose and tie a knot in the hosiery. The active ingredient is carbaryl, a chemical pesticide that can be harmful when ingested. Wear a disposable face mask.

    • 6

      Lightly tap the bag up and down the length of the Boer goats in the same way that you applied the horse spray. This will cover them in this chalky substance. This may take some running around unless you first place your goats into a pen.