About ticks in the Northern Territory
Ticks are prevalent in the Northern Territory, particularly during the ‘Build-Up.' They thrive in humid conditions and they’re often found in thick vegetation. You might be able to spot them under palm fronds and garden mulch. These ticks wreak havoc on pets and affect humans, especially children. They make dogs sick and cause a nasty bite when they feed on humans.
Ticks are oval in shape, although they do appear swollen once they’ve fed on a victim. They thrive on the blood of warm-blooded animals like cats, dogs, possums, echidnas, and bandicoots. The Australian paralysis tick is also found in humid places in the country. These ticks cause rashes and flu-like symptoms. If they’re left to feed on the host, they can cause symptoms of partial facial paralysis.
