The first ticks in nature can be found as early as April. After hibernation, like all living beings, they need food - fresh blood of animals and people. Ticks are most active in the month of May. With the onset of the warm season, the number of diseases caused by tick bites in dogs increases sharply. With the onset of spring, dog owners begin to worry about how to protect their pet from this problem by any means. A tick bite in itself is not so terrible for a dog; dangerous pathogens are contained in the tick’s saliva, which can cause a number of dangerous and sometimes fatal diseases for a dog. Dogs walking through tall grass or dense bushes are especially at risk, where they are especially likely to pick up a tick. Therefore, when returning from a walk, it is necessary to carefully examine the dog’s fur. A tick that has just attached itself to a dog's skin is about the size of a pinhead. Over time, after he drinks blood, he grows to the size of a bean and is impossible not to notice.
General information about ticks . Ticks (Acarina) are small (0.1-30 mm) arthropods of the arachnid class (Arachnoidea) belonging to the largest group in the arthropod subclass, their number reaches 50 thousand species, most of which do not cause any harm to humans and animals. Ticks that parasitize dogs are usually classified as carnivorous parasites, leading to the development of allergies, dermatitis, bacterial and viral diseases
Some ticks that attack dogs drink blood, others chew the skin, and others feed on skin secretions and lymph. Dogs are most often parasitized by three types of ticks:
- Ixodidae (Ixodidae) are the largest ticks, which in a hungry state reach 2-3 mm in length, and after sucking blood - up to 1-1.5 cm
- Scabies (internal, ear).
- Subcutaneous (demodectic).
The most dangerous to the life of dogs in the spring are considered to be ixodid ticks, which are carriers of dangerous blood-parasitic diseases (borreliosis, encephalitis and piroplasmosis).
What kind of parasite is this: spider mite
The spider mite is a class of arachnids that infest the leaves of indoor pets, garden crops and wild plants, capable of secreting a thin web, which gives rise to its name. The tick is widespread everywhere, even in Antarctica.
This is interesting. Mentions of this arachnid date back to the 16th-17th centuries, and the author of the first scientific description in the 18th century was the Swedish physician and naturalist Carl Linnaeus.
The pest has a pale green, red, yellow, amber, gray or colorless color, which is determined by the variety of this arachnid. It is also distinguished by its microscopic size: the female’s body length is 0.4–0.6 mm, the male is slightly shorter. The spider mite has a soft, solid, oval-shaped body; it is divided into two parts: a slightly larger back and a slightly smaller front. At the same time, the upper part of the body is more convex in comparison with the lower. An adult insect has four legs on the left and right.
This is interesting. The number of limbs is the main distinguishing feature of insects and arachnids: the former have three pairs, and the latter have four.
There are about 1,300 species of ticks that secrete fine webs, but only a few of them are common in our latitudes.
It is almost impossible to see a single tick, the maximum size of which is 1 mm, with the naked eye.
Table: varieties of spider mites
| Name | Character traits | Features of the view | Area of sabotage |
| Common spider mite | The body length is about 1 mm with red eye spots. The limbs and oval pinkish or reddish body are evenly covered with villi. | They live in colonies, each with up to hundreds of mites, on the underside of leaves. If the infection is severe, it spreads to the tops of the shoots. |
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| False spider mite | This parasite has a body length of 0.25 to 0.3 mm. Color varies from greenish to reddish. | Due to their microscopic size, lesions on a plant can only be seen when they reach enormous proportions. In addition, the false species, unlike its relatives, does not make a web, which also makes it difficult to detect. |
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| Atlantic spider mite | In appearance it is similar to an ordinary one, but its body is yellow-green in color. During the season, the female makes 5–6 clutches of eggs. | It colonizes leaves on both sides, shoots, branches and even fruits. Excessive moisture is not a hindrance for reproduction. |
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| Red spider mite | The body of females is purplish-red, while the males are bright red. The length of the tick is up to 0.5 mm. | It breeds most actively in the autumn-spring period in warm weather without rain. |
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| Cyclamen spider mite | The oval body of a yellowish tint, 100–300 microns long, on four pairs of legs cannot be seen with the naked eye. | Colonies are located at the top of the leaves. Externally, the invasion of cyclamen mites resembles dust balls. They don't like light. |
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| Gall spider mite | An elongated, spindle-like body about 0.15–0.3 mm long. Color varies from milky white to almost brown. Has no eyes. | It got its name due to the fact that the colonies on the leaves form galls - specific hollow growths of leaf and shoot cells up to 2.5 cm in size, green and then brown, where the parasites live and reproduce. They carry viruses that have a detrimental effect on plants. Having settled on the fruits, it causes them to bend and fall off. |
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| Hawthorn spider mite | The body is dark red with a light forepart and limbs. | They overwinter on trees under the bark. |
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| Date spider mite | The body is pale green, up to 0.3 mm in size. The female is capable of making up to 12 clutches of eggs per year. During frosts it lives for several months, in summer - up to three weeks. | Lives in the tropics. |
The parasite lives on garden and melon crops from May to September, when the fruits are most juicy; the rest of the time they live on cereals. |
| Turkestan spider mite | The body is 0.3–0.6 mm long and colorless. But after it has eaten the juice of the leaves, it turns green with spots of the remains of digested food. In summer, females live 30–80 days and lay up to 400 eggs. | Lives mainly in Uzbekistan. They can withstand temperature fluctuations up to 25 degrees below zero, but die at -29. |
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| Broad spider mite | The dimensions are identical to those of cyclamen spider mites. | Causes harm to pubescent plants, in which the pubescence is significantly thinned because of this. The main sign of infection is clumps of reddish dust and threads of cobwebs on the leaves. |
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| Cactus flat spider mite | Amber-colored body up to 0.6 mm. | The apical part of the stem is damaged. | Cacti and other succulents |
| Clover spider mite | The body is brownish or green, up to 0.7 mm long. The eggs are dark red. |
| |
| Bulbous root spider mite | Light yellow body up to 1 mm long, tapering towards the end. | They attack plant bulbs, gradually turning them into dust. |
|
This is interesting. Common and cyclamen spider mites are popularly called strawberry or strawberry mites for their special love for strawberries.
Photo gallery: the most common types of spider mites
The body of the common spider mite is covered with villi
The Atlantic spider mite has a yellow-green body color.
The body of the gall spider mite resembles a spindle
The clover mite especially likes to settle on ficus trees
The body length of the red mite is only about 0.5 mm
During wintering, the Turkestan spider mite turns red, but as it feeds it becomes more and more green.
Hawthorn spider mite loves stone fruit crops
The cactus spider mite is popularly called the flat beetle
The oval body of the bulb mite is light yellow or whitish in color.
Infestation of cyclamen mites resembles dust balls on leaves
List of drugs
There are several vaccines that protect dogs from piroplasmosis. Each has its own pros and cons.
Nobivac Piro from Intervet
The drug consists of antigens and inactivated Babesia. The vaccine is effective against 2 strains of piroplasmosis (Babesia A and Babesia Rossi). Additional components: sodium hydrogen phosphate, distilled water, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sanopin.
This tick bite vaccine is two-component. One package contains 2 bottles. One of them contains a transparent colorless solvent, the other contains a porous dry mass of a reddish color.
Everything should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature from +2 to +8. Before vaccination, the prepared solution must be heated in your hands or with warm water.
Revaccination is carried out twice a year (summer and winter). Immunity to Babesia is formed only after repeated revaccination after 21 days and persists for six months.
It is prohibited to vaccinate dogs under 6 months with this drug.
Pirodog by Merial
A French-made drug obtained from the blood cells of dogs infected with piroplasmosis. To disinfect them, they resort to gamma radiation. Available in two bottles:
- in one there is a dry dark pink mass;
- in the other there is a transparent diluent.
Revaccination is done after six months. The injection should not be given to puppies under 5 months of age. Immunity is formed 2 weeks after the second vaccine.
There is another medicine against tick-borne infections - Eurikan Piro. The composition and rules of use are identical to Pirodog.
Life cycle of a spider mite
Young spider mites have six limbs, and after two molts they become eight-legged. The female, depending on the species, lives on average from 16 to 40 days. Males - up to 30 days. At favorable air temperatures, that is, from 25 to 30 degrees, complete transformation into an adult takes about 8 days.
In heat from +25 degrees and a humidity level not exceeding 40%, ticks reproduce and remain viable all year round. If environmental conditions are not favorable, then the parasites go into diapause, that is, an anabiotic state in which processes associated with physiology slow down by 3–4 times. Before falling into this state, ticks find a suitable secluded place in:
- tops;
- in the top layer of soil (spider mites can go no more than 20 cm deep);
- beehives;
- greenhouse structural elements;
- fences or boxes.
Spider mites in a state of diapause hide in secluded places, including on the walls of flower pots
Egg stage
During its life cycle, the female, depending on the species, lays an average of up to 200 eggs, and does this in batches of 1 to 3 pieces. Fertilized eggs produce females, and unfertilized eggs produce males. Females leave future offspring:
- on plant roots;
- directly in the top layer of soil;
- under last year's leaves;
- on the inside of leaves of living plants;
- on the walls of containers intended for planting indoor flowers.
This is interesting. If environmental conditions are unfavorable, the eggs of the spider bug go into suspended animation and can resume their development after 4–5 years.
Spider mite eggs look like balls, slightly flattened on top and bottom.
Stages of development from egg to adult
After three days, larvae emerge from the eggs. Further development includes 3 stages:
- after three days the larva emerges from the egg;
- after 24 hours the larva enters the nymph stage;
- over the next four days, the female nymph experiences three molts and two periods of development, the male nymph three molts and one or two periods of development, and thus adults are obtained that are already capable of reproducing.
Contraindications
Any tick vaccination for a dog is done only after contraindications have been eliminated. It is prohibited to administer the vaccine together with other solutions that form the animal’s immunity against viral infections (Multikan, Nibivac DHPPI and others).
You can use Eurikan Piro or Pirodog against ticks together with vaccination against rabies and leptospirosis in one visit to the veterinarian, but these solutions should only be administered in different places. If a dog is vaccinated with Nobivak Piro, at least 2 weeks must pass before and after immunization with other vaccines.
Vaccination is not given to pregnant animals. Nursing dogs can be vaccinated with Eurikan Piro and Pirodog, but Nobivak Piro cannot.
If a pet has recovered from piroplasmosis, vaccination is carried out only 2 months after recovery. In this case, the effectiveness of the vaccination may be reduced.
What dangers do spider mites pose for green spaces?
Due to the tiny size of the parasite, it is possible to detect an infestation of insects only when the damage to the leaves is very noticeable. The parasite settles on the back side of a plant leaf, sucks the juices out of it and leaves small holes, while the enzyme in the mite's saliva destroys chloroplasts - special structures in the leaf cells in which photosynthesis occurs. All this leads to the leaves becoming dehydrated, dry and brittle. The longer the spider mite attack, the more the plant suffers: its ability to synthesize light and regenerate cells is significantly reduced. The appearance of the leaves also suffers; they become discolored, may even turn yellow, become covered with a thin web and eventually fall off, and the plant weakens so much that it may die. A number of species of spider mites, for example, the Atlantic, eat plant fruits.
Signs of spider mite infestation
If we consider the signs of plant damage by spider insects in detail, then we can detect the attack of the parasite by the following details:
- the appearance of small specks on the underside of leaves, which accumulate and turn into noticeable spots;
Small specks are traces of punctures made by spider mites - the appearance of black dots on the leaves - traces of mite excrement;
- the presence of a thin web on the inner surface of the leaf and other parts of the shoot;
- folding of leaf edges and twisting of petioles.
Severe infection leads to:
- accumulation of masses of mites on the tips of leaves;
- fading of flowers even at the bud stage;
- lack of growth.
For more information on how to get rid of spider mites on indoor plants, read our article - How to deal with spider mites on indoor flowers.
Photo gallery: stages of plant infection by spider mites
Small specks are the first stage of a plant being infected with spider mites.
The appearance of noticeable black spots on the leaves indicates that the mite population is growing
The appearance of cobwebs is one of the most obvious signs of infection.
Dried leaves, wilted buds and accumulations of mites on the web are signs of the last stage of infection
Video: what seedlings affected by spider mites look like
Consequences of infection
Representatives of the flora that suffer from spider mite invasion are exposed to a number of other dangers. Thus, spider mites, with their vital activity on plants, create optimal conditions for spreading:
- spores of gray rot (a dangerous fungal disease that can lead to plant rotting);
- viruses passing from one crop to another, from one flower to another.
All this causes additional damage to both aesthetics and the harvest. Thus, crop losses in infected areas can range from 30 to 70%.
Spider mite infestation leads to crop losses and plant diseases
Traditional methods
The use of folk methods allows the use of means that are absolutely safe, both for people and for the cultures themselves. Regarding efficiency, they provide excellent results in the early stages of infection.
Regardless of what product will be used, it is necessary to prepare the plant. To do this, you need to rinse it under running water. When processing in residential areas, you will need to pay attention to wet cleaning. Wash window sills, walls, floors, baseboards well when using a soap solution.
The most popular and effective methods include:
- Garlic. To use this aromatic product, you will need to prepare an infusion. You need to take several heads of garlic and chop them very finely, put them, for example, in a jar, and add 1 liter of water, close and leave for 5 days. After which the infusion is diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio and used to wash plants.
- Alcohol. It can be used on flowers that have fairly large, thick leaves. An alcohol solution is prepared and wiped with a cotton swab.
- Onion peel. You will need to pour 100 g of husk with 5 liters of water, close it and leave to infuse. Infuse for 5 days, then strain with gauze and apply for spraying. You can also use onion, for this you need to chop it very finely and add 0.5 liters of water. This infusion is kept for half an hour. To maximize effectiveness, add iodine, 4 drops.
- Soap. To use it, you need to take soap and dissolve it in water, you need to get foam, which will be used for treatment. Next, the foam is applied to the flower and left for 2 hours. Afterwards, the soil must be covered with film and the leaves and stems washed under running water.
- Dandelion. Fresh herbs are used for this recipe; 0.5 kg is needed. The grass is poured with water, 10 liters and left for 4 hours. This infusion is suitable for treating plants and seedlings. Several procedures will be required.
- Soda Ash. Excellent for spraying in greenhouses, you will need to dilute 50 ml of soda in 10 liters of water.
- Calendula. You need to take 500 g of flowers and add 5 liters of water. Then stand for 5 days, strain and can be sprayed.
- Infusion 0.5 kg per 5 l. water, leave for 5 days, spray the crops.
- Birch tar. For 10 liters of water you need 10 ml. tar, you can start spraying.
- Datura. An infusion of this herb is prepared, pour 100g into 1 liter of water. Then leave for 24 hours.
- Celandine, yarrow. Suitable for processing ornamental shrubs. Pour 500 g of herb with 1 liter of boiling water, let it brew well. Before use, add water and adjust the volume to 10 liters.
- Sagebrush. Place 500 g of herb in a bucket and add water, leave for 12 hours, then put on fire and simmer for half an hour.
Why and how spider mites get on plants
Spider mites are insects capable of active movement. And it’s understandable: after waiting out the winter, they go in search of food. This means that sooner or later they end up on personal plots and houses. Since spider mites can infect both indoor and garden crops, the routes of penetration will be different for some and for others.
You can bring a parasite into your home:
- on newly purchased plants (this is why flower growers always recommend that newly purchased plants be kept in quarantine first);
- on umbrellas, clothes;
- on bouquets.
In addition, the dimensions of the spider mite allow it to be carried by the wind through open windows, especially on the first floors.
The pest may appear on the site:
- carried by wind from an infected area;
- introduced in seedlings or on seedlings purchased from unverified suppliers.
If the air temperature and humidity level are favorable for the habitat of a particular type of spider mite, and also, of course, if the diet they need is available, there is no doubt: the parasites will make an attempt to settle in earnest and for a long time.
Spider mites quickly move from plant to plant
How to remove hematomas?
After establishing the nature and characteristics of the hematoma, treatment is prescribed in accordance with the information received:
- prescribe UHF procedures;
- a surgical opening is performed to remove accumulated clots and rinse the cavity;
- the patient is hospitalized in the surgical department for opening and drainage, followed by antibiotic therapy.
Recovery time depends on the extent of the lesion, the presence or absence of infection and other factors.
Plants most susceptible to spider mite infestation
Even though spider mites can attack almost all plants, they have their own preferences.
Houseplants
The pest does not really like pubescent leaves, so plants with this type of leaf texture are relatively safe. Moreover, some gardeners specifically place next to infected specimens:
- violets (Saintpaulia);
- gloxinia;
- colors;
- calceolaria.
This is interesting. Absolute intolerance in most spider mites (except for the broad spider mite) is caused by aloe: they never infect it.
Video: spider mites on indoor plants
Street plantings
The tick's list of preferences in this group of plants is so large that it is easier to name those representatives of the flora that are rejected by it:
- calendula;
- dandelions.
These plants are planted specifically so that their scent will repel ticks from other plantings.
Among outdoor plantings, spider mites have practically no unloved ones.
Fruit crops
This category of plants is the least fortunate, since only elderberry can avoid attack by parasites. Among the berries, spider mites are especially fond of:
- strawberry;
- strawberries;
- grape.
Pear trees are particularly susceptible to gall spider mites.
Garden crops
Gourmets with eight limbs enjoy eating:
- cucumbers;
- eggplant;
- legumes;
- pepper.
But onions and garlic provide powerful protection against the parasite with their smell.
Medicinal herbs, spices
The most vulnerable in this group of plantings are:
- mint;
- Melissa.
But most other herbs have just the same repellent effect. Such a “weapon” could be:
- pharmaceutical chamomile;
- mustard;
- parsley;
- basil;
The smell of basil repels spider mites - tansy;
- celandine;
- yarrow;
- sagebrush.
This is interesting. Spider mites also cause significant damage to grain crops.
Treatment
Any treatment for such diseases is based mainly on the standard scheme:
- destroy the infection as much as possible;
- relieve symptoms of intoxication from the decay of pathogenic microorganisms;
- carry out global maintenance therapy.
An example of treatment of piroplasmosis in an adult dog weighing 15 kg:
Azidin-vet. Dilute the contents of the bottle with 4 ml of water for injection. This amount is essential to avoid the numerous side effects of this drug.
0.5 ml 1 time per day. Only 4-5 injections.
Dexamethasone is necessary to maintain homeostasis, level out the resulting imbalance in the blood and reduce the likelihood of developing allergies.
0.5 ml 1 time per day.
Vetozal (Katozal) 0.5 ml once a day.
If within 2 days the general condition becomes more complicated, blood appears in the urine, the dog completely refuses to eat and diarrhea begins, emergency intravenous infusions of glucose, Ringer's solution and Reambirin are required. Ceftriaxone or Metronidazole are also urgently added.
In general, treatment options for such serious diseases are very diverse. The process involves antibiotics, vitamin complexes, and immunomodulators.
Supportive medications for the heart and hepatoprotectors are mandatory. And in the most difficult situations, the dog will need a blood or platelet transfusion.
An integrated approach to combating spider mites
Ticks do not like water, so this is the first remedy that, if it does not destroy the entire population, will at least significantly reduce it. In the case of indoor plants, this is easier to do: you need to wipe the leaves with warm water and laundry soap. Then apply a suitable chemical or folk method of control. To eliminate mites on garden crops, the range of products is also quite extensive. But the most important thing: the fight against the parasite must be systematic and comprehensive, that is, combining various methods of control.
Cold water helps fight spider mites
Table: four methods of controlling spider mites
| Funds group | Operating principle | Examples |
| Chemical method | Acaricide-based preparations can completely eliminate mite populations and eggs. |
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| Biological method | Application of control methods of biological origin. |
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| Agrotechnical method |
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| Folk method | It is very common due to its cost-effectiveness and availability, but choosing an effective remedy in each specific case is quite difficult. |
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Rules and procedures for vaccination
To achieve the most effective result, you must follow all the rules for vaccinating dogs against ticks, not forgetting such an important point as the preparatory period. This concept implies a certain procedure that must be carried out at least a few weeks before the scheduled vaccination in order to avoid the development of severe complications after the drug is administered. The owner must:
- Show your pet to a specialist for a routine examination and assessment of the current state of its body, since only healthy pets are vaccinated.
- If a dog is diagnosed with any acute or chronic diseases, it will have to be treated, undergo a re-examination and only be vaccinated after two weeks.
- 3-4 weeks before scheduled vaccination, it is necessary to carry out anthelmintic therapy according to a special regimen, since parasitic infestations significantly worsen the general condition of pets, as a result of which vaccination is much more difficult for them to tolerate.
- If the owner planned to breed an animal in the near future, then he will have to abandon this idea, postponing it until better times. As a rule, a bitch can be bred 3-4 weeks after vaccination.
In addition, antihistamine prophylaxis is mandatory, which involves taking antiallergic drugs several days before vaccination. If this procedure is not carried out, it is possible that the animal will develop an acute allergic reaction to the drug and it will be much more difficult for it to survive the vaccination.
