Ticks in boxes

[madfoxlady]

I clean my hog boxes twice a year with boiling water and always seem to find a heavy burden of ticks waiting for a host. 2 years ago I had to take a poor hog to the local rescue as it’s face was totally covered in them (although possibly he had an underlying issue but he did come back healthy for release after a week or two). I’ve just cleaned out a box I knew was empty and found loads of ticks again (shiver, shiver!). Is it better to leave the hogs to find natural nest sites If available or are they likely to be just as infested and at least the boxes get cleaned out? Thanks for any advice

[Nic]

Hi madfoxlady

I know the feeling. I’ve had lots of ticks in hog boxes before – does tend to make your flesh crawl a bit!

I would be inclined to do as you just have done and if you are certain a hog box is empty to clean out in between the recommended times as well. Hogs tend to move nest in the wild fairly often – probably to keep parasite infestations to a minimum. Hog boxes, in effect, are only structures within which a hog can make it’s nest. But it isn’t only sufficient food which hogs might find hard to come by in the wild, but also sufficient nesting sites, so hog houses can be welcome structures. But it may also be that tick populations are growing, in general, due to warmer temperatures and some areas may be more prone to them than others.

It’s also a good idea to clean out feeding boxes with boiling water from time to time (assuming they are made of wood or other material which can take it). Ticks can drop off hogs when they are feeding and lay eggs and parasite eggs can get into the cracks and may be able to survive general every day type cleaning out.

Glad to hear you got that hog safely back home after it’s tick ordeal.

[Author]

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