818-Lancagter Farming, Saturday, May 27, 1995 T- W UNIVERSITY PARK, (Centre Co.)* Lyme disease and the Lyme-carrying deer tick have received much publicity in recent years. But another tick, and the potentially deadly disease it can harbor, is a growing concern in Pennsylvania. /The American dog tick has expanded its range in Pennsylva nia over the last few decades,” says Dr. Robert Snetsinger, professor of entomology in Penn State’s Col lege of Agricultural Sciences. “From 2 to 10 percent of these ticks carry Rocky Mountain spot ted fever,” he says. “Because American dog ticks now exist in areas where they weren’t found before, health care professionals should know the symptoms of the disease and be alert for possible cases.” About IS cases of Rocky Moun tain spotted fever are reported in Pennsylvania in an average year. The number of cases in any year may range from fewer than 10 to more than 30. But Snetsinger says there likely are many more cases that are .misdiagnosed or unrepotted. Snetsinger believes conditions may be favorable for an upturn in Rocky Mountain spotted fever in DRAINAGE PROBLEMS? Cocalico Equipment Specializes in Drainage Work We Install Ponds: • New Pond Construction • Reconstruction of Existing Ponds • Seal Leaking Ponds • FREE ESTIMATES • • We Sell Pipe - All Kinds - All Sizes • € COCALICO EQUIPMENT CO. Farm Drainage & Excavating « 323 Reinholds Rd. Denver,, PA 17517 1 (717) 336-3808 (717) 738-3794 Dog Ticks Spread Thoughout State 1995. “Our research suggests that more cases of die disease are in areas frequented by their prc- • the southeastern and southwestern reported in years when a milder- ferred hosts medium-sized regions, of the state. Snetsinger than-normal winter with below- mammals such as dogs, raccoons says counties where you are most average precipitation is followed ®d opossums. 'likely to encounter a dog tick are by a spring season with normal or Dogs are ideal collectors of Adams* Berks* Beaver* Bucks* higher-than-average precipita- these ticks,” says Snetsinger. Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, (ion ” “When I want to collect dog ticks Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Lancas- A tick must feed at least 24 for the lab, I’ve found that it’s te*i, Montgomery, Northampton, hours before the disease is trans- much more effective to let a dog Pike. Schuylkill, Washington, mitted to the host. Three to four nm up and down a hiking trail than Westmoreland and York, days after being bitten by an 10 have my students try to find Snetsinger says the American infected tick, a person may expert- them” dog tick cannot transmit Lyme dis encc high fever up to 105 degrees—headache, sore muscles and fatigue. The fever is common ly followed by a severe rash with reddish or purple spots. The disease is easily treated with antibiotics. Left untreated it can be fatal, especially for young children. The American dog tick is deep reddish brown, often with white mottling or blotches on its back. It typically reaches slightly more than an eighth of an inch in length, but can swell to more than a half inch when engorged with the blood of a host The adults can survive the winter, and are most active in April and May. Dog ticks can be found in tall grass and on small plants, often along hiking trails or at the edge of wooded areas. They are common We do subsurface and surface drainage, terraces and waterways. We also do horizontal boring for water & sewer, etc. Call Us. i M -V • A research team led by Snetsin ger has tracked the spread of the American dog lick. He says it is now established virtually every where in Pennsylvania. ‘.‘Before 1950, dog ticks were limited to the extreme southeast and southwest comers of the state,” he says. “By 1991, they had been found in virtually every county. “The tick’s spread is not easily explained because it’s rarely col lected from migratory birds,” says Snetsinger. “A likely scenario is that people traveling with family pets and hunting dogs have intro duced ticks into areas where they didn’t exist previously.” Despite their spread, American dog ticks are still most common in • Speed chokes for all conditions. The standard synchropower transmission offers 24 forward and 12 reverse speeds. An optional power Hi-Lo transmission boosts that to 36 speeds both forward and reverse. Both 8600 Series models are AWD with planetary final * drive, and a self-adjusting, hydraulically actuated clutch. SEE YOUR DEALER TODAY! - - - -- -- ‘ MANOR MOTORS On Rtf. 553 Ptnn Run, P«. 15765 412-254-4753 HERNLEY'S PARM EQUIP., INC. Elbabtthtown, Pa. 717-367-6667 AICA, 36 SPEED CHOICES AGCO Allis $OO Series tractors give you 36 speed choices, an electronic engine speed governor and many other quality performance features, as well as a comprehensive 4-year/4,000-hour warranty. • The air- and oil-cooled engine advantage. The 8600 Series tractors feature the high output, air- and oilcooled diesel engine that eliminates components that cause downtime in liquid-cooled engines. The 8610 model has a 103 PTO hp engine with a 22% torque rise and die 8630 model has a 120 PTO hp turbocharged engine with a 30% torque rise. SANDY LAKE IMPLEMENT B.H.M. FARM EQUIP., Sandy Lakt, Pa. INC. 412-376-2489 Annvllla, Pa. 717-667-2211 NICHOLS FARM EQUIP. Bloomaburg, Pa. 717-764-7731 • PTO power and versatility. The independent PTO operates at 540/1,000 rpm with 6- and 21-spline shafts and an electrohydraulically actuated wet PTO clutch. The 3-point hitch comes standard with telescopic stabilizers; Category 11/l on the 8610; Category 111/II on the 8630. Optional telescopic lower links are available. • Quality performance features. The 8600 Series tractors ride on premium Goodyear' radial tires. They have hydrostatic steering, a tilt-telescope steering wheel and hydraulically actuated wet disc brakes on all four wheels for 40% better braking. These models also have electrohydraulically-actuated rear and front differential locks that an operator can manually disengage for tighter turns. To learn about all the quality features of the 8600 Series tractors, or any of the "orange" line of AGCO Allis tractors ranging from 40 to 128 PTO hp, stop by or call us soon. allS AQCO For thc'my you farm today B. EQUIP., INC. Waynaabora, Pa. 717-762-3193 ease. And even though the'number of cases of Rocky Mountain spot ted fever in Pennsylvania is rela tively small, it’s important to know the risk. “The medical community needs to be aware of the presence of this tick and alert to the likeli hood that the disease it can cany may occur with increasing fre quency, especially in western and central Pennsylvania,” he says. HOLTRVS EQUIPMENT Roxbuiy, Pa. 717-582-7261 C.J. WONSIOLER BROS. Quaksitown, Pa. 21S-SM-7523 Naw Tripoli, Pa. 215>717*7(11 Olay, Pa. 21M874257 CRUMELU FARM SERVICE Quanyvlla, Pa. 717-766-7316