BY CHARLIE ABASCAL
In the UK’s picturesque countryside, particularly the uplands of Scotland, an escalating crisis looms—one marked by the rise of tick populations. These small, blood-sucking parasites present more than a simple annoyance; they pose a significant threat to wildlife, livestock, and humans. Ticks are notorious carriers of Lyme disease, a growing danger to all who enjoy the great outdoors. Despite the severity of the issue, the response has been markedly one-sided, with gamekeepers, landowners, and farmers taking the lead in tackling the problem, often without adequate recognition or support from government or conservation bodies.
The devastating impact of ticks on wildlife is all too evident. Disturbing images of deer found dead and covered in ticks illustrate the severity of the infestations. These parasites cause disease, general health deterioration, and debilitate animals, reducing their ability to evade predators. This tragic scenario underscores the critical need for effective tick management strategies. Birds, too, suffer from infestations, which sap their strength and reduce their survival prospects, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of unchecked tick populations.
Livestock, especially hill sheep, are not only vulnerable to ticks but also pivotal in controlling them. By treating hill sheep with acaricides—agents that kill ticks—gamekeepers and farmers use these animals in “tick mop” programmes. These initiatives involve allowing treated livestock to graze on infested land, where they attract and kill ticks, effectively reducing their numbers. This innovative approach is proving vital in protecting both livestock and wildlife from the scourge of ticks.
The human health implications are equally concerning. Ticks are vectors for Lyme disease, a serious illness with potentially long-lasting health consequences if untreated.
As tick populations increase, so does the risk to those enjoying the countryside. Government advice primarily focuses on personal protective measures, such as wearing long trousers and avoiding tall vegetation. However, these precautions fall short in areas with high tick densities, particularly those managed by conservation bodies where overgrown vegetation is common. Rewilding is all very well but creating homes for tick populations to flourish in is socially unacceptable and creates dangers for animals and humans operating in rural areas.
At the forefront of the battle against ticks is rotational burning, a practice involving the controlled burning of vegetation to manage habitats and reduce tick populations. Though often criticised by conservation bodies, rotational burning is crucial in maintaining a balanced ecosystem and controlling tick infestations. Gamekeepers also manage deer populations and other wildlife hosts, further contributing to tick reduction efforts.
Despite their crucial work, gamekeepers, landowners, and farmers frequently face criticism and a lack of support from government and conservation organisations. These bodies are often accused of neglecting the tick problem, leaving those who actively manage the land to bear the burden. The profound implications of tick infestations and the associated human health risks seem to be underappreciated by those not directly involved in land management.
The efforts of gamekeepers and farmers extend beyond wildlife and livestock protection; they provide a public health service by reducing the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Unfortunately, their work is often met with misunderstanding and criticism from those who fail to grasp the complexities of land management and the necessity of practices such as rotational burning. On the one hand there are those seeking to control ticks and on the other there are the lunatics.
Charlotte Abascal lives and works on a Scottish farm. Photos of dead deer covered in ticks courtesy of the Strathdearn & Speyside Moorland Group.