Cattle tick infestations in the tick-free zone

When cattle ticks are found in Queensland’s tick-free zone, Biosecurity Queensland works with affected landholders to manage the infestation and reduce the risk of further spread.

Working together to protect the tick-free zone

Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, managing cattle ticks is a shared responsibility. As a livestock owner, you must take reasonable and practical steps to minimise biosecurity risks (such as spread of an infestation). You must also keep accurate records of livestock movements.

Biosecurity Queensland can provide education, advice and support to help you meet your obligations and make informed decisions. Maintain open communication with your biosecurity officer and follow the guidance provided – this will help protect both your property and Queensland’s tick-free zone.

How cattle ticks spread

Cattle ticks spread via this process:

  • Susceptible host animals become infested while grazing in tick-infested pastures and then move to another location.
  • Engorged ticks drop from the animals onto pasture and lay eggs.
  • The eggs produce larvae, which infest livestock at the new location.

An infestation may not be detected until weeks or even months after the initial exposure.

Many factors influence how readily cattle ticks spread and how long eradication takes:

  • how long ticks have been present before detection
  • the number and timing of livestock movements
  • movements of other hosts (such as wildlife and feral animals)
  • environmental conditions that affect tick larvae survival.

What will happen if you find cattle ticks

You must report any cattle ticks found in Queensland’s tick-free zone to Biosecurity Queensland by phoning 13 25 23.

Biosecurity Queensland will confirm the detection as cattle tick and work with the registered biosecurity entity for the property.

You will receive:

  • a notice outlining your legislated obligations
  • an information pack to help you eradicate cattle ticks from the property and manage related risks such as tick fever
  • details for your local biosecurity officer, who will be your main point of contact and support and will respond to your questions.

Property assessment and surveillance

Biosecurity officers will assess the outbreak. They will work with you to determine how far the infestation may have spread and investigate its likely cause.

They may ask you to help with these actions:

  • Trace livestock movements to and from your property.
  • Inspect livestock on your property and other properties.
  • Identify possible sources of infestation (such as livestock movements, secondary hosts and feral animals).
  • Assess environmental conditions that may affect tick survival.

Restricted place

If cattle ticks are confirmed on your property, it will be:

  • declared a restricted place under the Biosecurity Act 2014
  • listed on the restricted places register.

This means that livestock movements from your property will be controlled until the cattle ticks are eradicated. Before moving livestock from a restricted place, you will need a biosecurity certificate, which you can obtain by following this process:

You are responsible for the costs associated with the services provided by accredited certifiers.

Contact your biosecurity officer if you need support or have any questions about this.

Cattle tick eradication program

After your property is declared a restricted place, you will need to undertake a cattle tick eradication program.

This may involve:

  • chemical treatment of livestock using approved acaricides
  • destocking for a set period
  • inspection and certification by an accredited certifier to confirm all livestock are tick-free.

For more information about cattle tick eradication programs and procedures for eradicating cattle ticks, refer to the biosecurity manual (PDF, 1MB).

You must follow the label directions on the tick treatment. Pay special attention to re-treatment intervals, withholding periods and export slaughter intervals for the chemicals used. This is vital when planning to market livestock.

Acaracide resistance can reduce the effectiveness of some chemicals on cattle ticks. Your biosecurity officer can help you test for tick resistance and identify suitable treatment options.

Removal from the restricted places register

To have your property removed from the restricted places register, you must provide evidence to Biosecurity Queensland showing that cattle ticks have been eradicated.

This may include:

  • documentation of actions taken to eradicate cattle ticks (such as records of chemical treatments, receipts for chemicals purchased and records of destocking periods)
  • biosecurity certificates or records from an accredited certifier confirming tick-free livestock inspections.

Biosecurity Queensland may also undertake additional validation before a property is removed from the register.

For more details of this process, refer to the information pack you received from Biosecurity Queensland.

Neighbouring properties

If you are a neighbour of a property where cattle ticks have been detected, you will be notified of a heightened biosecurity risk and reminded of your general biosecurity obligation to manage biosecurity risks on your property.

You must take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent or minimise this biosecurity risk.

Reasonable and practical measures may include these actions:

  • Implement and maintain a biosecurity plan that includes measures to prevent cattle tick infestations and manage the risk of cattle tick fever.
  • Maintain secure boundary fences.
  • Implement appropriate inspection and treatment strategies.
  • Ask questions before accepting animals onto your property.
  • Understand the requirements for moving animals to and from your property. This includes animals that stray onto or from the property.
  • When selling stock, notify your livestock agent that your property is near a cattle tick outbreak.

Contact us online, by phone or in person for more advice and information about protecting your herd and property.

Saleyards and livestock agents

As a livestock owner, you must consider the risk of spreading cattle ticks when consigning cattle to a saleyard in the tick-free zone.

Find out about and follow your obligations when using saleyards and livestock agents.

More information