Heavy tick infestations in local areas

The blood-feeding parasites known as ticks are showing up at a rapid pace as the weather warms up.

Dusty farmer Kimberley Gustafson said she noticed tick infestations were heavy along the Alkali Creek and a large number were found on her cattle and and horses.

Gustafson said their cattle prevention technique was successful this year. They use a skin treatment that they pour over their cattle, and it goes throughout the cattle’s system before the tick season picks up.

She said area ticks are most active at the end of March, through early May.

“Some years are worse than others,” Gustafson said....