"We think that they these toxins are like an anaesthetic and when that gets into the wrong host, really severe physiological complications [result]."
"That's when ticks are looking for hosts and are the most dangerous for pets and people."
"If you have a dog or a cat, keep it on a leash for goodness sake — don't let it run into the bush, because it's going to pick up ticks."
| Locality | When tick season peaks |
|---|---|
| Cairns and Innisfail | August to September |
| South-east Queensland | September to October |
| Sydney (particularly Northern Beaches) | October to November |
"One tick will normally kill a dog or a cat, unless it has some veterinary [treatment and] preventatives."