Ticks are annoying little creatures that seem to be everywhere, especially in the summer. They’re not just a nuisance, either; ticks can transmit disease to both humans and animals. So it’s no wonder that people are asking what animals eat ticks, and there are actually a few different animals that do.
Here’s a list of some of the animals that eat ticks:
1. Lizards
Lizards eat a wide range of insects, including ticks. As a reptile with a long tongue, lizards can reach nooks and crannies where ticks like to hide.
2. Chickens
While the primary food of chickens is greens and grains, they will also peck at insects like ticks. Chickens have been known to help control tick populations in areas where they live but they are only minimal.
3. Opossums
These creatures are omnivores, so they’ll eat just about anything, including ticks. Opossums are one of the most effective animals at controlling tick populations. Like vacuum cleaners, they will eat up to 5,000 ticks in a season!
4. Ants
Fire ants are not only known to eat ticks, but they also help reduce tick numbers in forests. Fire ants eat ticks by puncturing the tick’s bodies and then sucking out the insides.
5. Guinea fowl
Guinea fowl are another popular choice for tick control. Like chickens, they will eat just about any type of tick.
6. Squirrels
Squirrels are known to eat a variety of ticks when they are grooming. They also roam around a lot, which means they can spot ticks and eat them.
7. Frogs
Frogs will eat just about anything that fits into their mouths, and that includes ticks. They don’t seem to be as effective at controlling tick populations as some of the other animals on this list, but every little bit helps.
8. Wild Turkeys
With their good eyesight, wild turkeys can spot ticks on the forest floor. They aren’t picky eaters, so they’ll gobble up the ticks.
9. Monkeys
As good groomers that have hands that are very similar to humans, monkeys can pick ticks off their bodies. Monkeys will often pick ticks off of each other. You might see them help remove a tick from another monkey’s head.
10. Ducks
Ducks have been known to eat ticks and usually find them in long grasses, which is where ticks and other insects like to hide.
Conclusion
There are a variety of animals that eat ticks, which can help to control the population of these pests. Although most of them are wild animals, some, like chickens, can even be kept as pets. So, if you see these animals around, don’t be alarmed, they could be doing you a favor by eating the ticks.
