Pest control in Ibiza and Formentera: acariformes and ticks.
Acariformes and ticks: health risks and economic losses.
Acariformes.
They are a very varied group of organisms, which can live on surfaces and soil, as well as adversely affect people, pets or plants.
In some cases, their prejudice does not derive from explicit parasitism, but from inhabiting our environment, resulting in allergic skin and respiratory reactions.
Most mites are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they can be seen with the aid of a magnifying glass or microscope.
Ticks.
Ticks are mites of macroscopic size, i.e. they can be seen with the naked eye. They are divided into 2 families: family Ixodidae (hard ticks) and family Argasidae (soft ticks). Hard ticks are found on mammals, including people and pets, while soft ticks are mostly found on birds, including pets and poultry. However, both families may be present on organisms other than the usual ones.
In both cases, they are haematophagous parasites, i.e. they feed on the blood of their hosts.
Acariformes and ticks and economic losses.
Depending on whether we are talking about acariformes or ticks, the effect they will have on our environment and the economic losses they will generate will be different. In other words, it is more likely that an infestation of soft ticks can occur in a chicken farm, which will be accompanied by health problems and even the death of a part of the poultry production, than in a food industry premises.
Similarly, it will be more damaging for a food business premises, especially if it is open to the public, to have a mite infestation on its premises and for customers to be affected, with the consequent loss of reputation and, depending on the severity, possible administrative sanctions.
Acariformes and ticks and health risks.
From a health point of view, it is important to highlight the role they play as vectors and are directly responsible for various diseases in humans.
The health problems they cause range from skin and respiratory allergies, to the transmission of scabies, infections due to the physical action of their parasitism, the transmission of rickettsial viruses or even causing paralysis or death in some of their hosts, such as poultry or pets.
Identification and control of acariformes and ticks.
Identification of mite and tick infestations:
-Sightings (especially of ticks).
-Bites.
Control of acariformes and ticks by Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
-Prior inspection.
-Control of organisational measures.
-Control of structural measures.
-Application of biocides.
For a more detailed description of our work methodology, please consult the description of our Integrated Pest Control (IPC).
Acariformes and plague ticks in Ibiza and Formentera: main species.
Acariformes, Dermatophagoides sp. : these are the so-called dust mites. They feed on skin debris (desquamations) and detritus from the environment.
They live in the environment, i.e. they do not parasitise any other species, and their presence can be accompanied by skin and respiratory allergies.
Acariform, Sarcoptes scabiei : causes scabies in people, our pets and other animals.
The female lives in galleries that burrow into the skin, while the male remains on the surface. Because of this, part of the reproductive cycle takes place in these galleries. The young are born and move around in these galleries. These displacements, together with the generation of detritus, lead to skin problems, itching, wounds, etc.
Hard ticks, family Ixodidae : these are large mites. They are usually the ones that affect us and our pets, as well as farm mammals.
Their reproductive cycle takes place partly on the host (mating) and partly on the ground (egg laying and hatching).
Adult female hard ticks feed only once, until they are fully engorged, then drop and deposit their eggs. The number of eggs they can lay can reach up to 10,000.
Once the larvae have hatched and developed, they reach their host by direct contact: they cannot jump, run or fly. Placed in weeds or other possible contact areas, at a low height, up to 40-60 cm above the ground, they wait for the right host to pass by.
However, if we have infested animals in our homes, it is perfectly feasible for them to reach our bodies by simply climbing up furniture or clothing.
Soft ticks, family Argasidae : they normally parasitise birds, although occasionally they can also parasitise mammals, including humans and pets.
Their reproductive cycle occurs partly on the host (mating) and partly on the ground (egg laying and hatching). Unlike hard ticks, however, they can repeat the cycle several times. Their clutches are less rare, but as mentioned above, they can lay several clutches, laying 20 to 50 eggs after each blood meal.
Their role as a disease vector is important, especially for poultry.
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Nova Control has the professionals, resources and experience necessary to guarantee the correct control of pests and microorganisms both in Ibiza and Formentera, always seeking to cover the service in a discreet and professional manner.
At Nova Control, we always try to adapt to the needs and requirements of our clients, whether they are public, private or private entities..
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