Do Turkeys Eat Ticks?

Wild turkeys are a common sight throughout New England, often wandering through neighborhoods, parks, forests, and even busy streets. These birds play an important role in the New England ecosystem and spend much of their time foraging for seeds, plants, and insects. Because turkeys search for food in areas where ticks may be present, many homeowners wonder: Do turkeys eat ticks, and can they help reduce tick populations? While wild turkeys may occasionally consume ticks while foraging, research suggests they do not eat enough ticks to significantly reduce tick populations. Homeowners should take additional precautions to protect their properties from ticks and reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

How Common are Turkeys in New England?

Turkeys are native to New England; however, throughout the 1800s, they became a critically endangered species due to unrestricted hunting and severe habitat loss caused by extreme deforestation, especially in Maine and Massachusetts. Despite the low populations, New England was able to successfully reintroduce turkeys into the states in the 1970s by releasing wild turkeys from New York into the Massachusetts Berkshires and surrounding areas. The wild turkey population in New England has grown to more than 150,000 birds, thanks in large part to these successful restoration efforts.

Today, wild turkeys can be found throughout wooded areas and residential neighborhoods with heavy vegetation. They are active during the daytime, scavenging throughout backyards, gardens, and other outdoor spaces. As they adapt to suburban environments, turkeys may occasionally be seen resting or roosting on decks, roofs, and railings in residential town areas in the evening.

The Relationship between Turkeys and Ticks

Wild turkeys forage for food on the ground and in grassy areas where ticks are commonly found. While searching for food, they may occasionally consume ticks along with insects and other small organisms. Some studies estimate that an individual wild turkey may consume up to 200 ticks while foraging. However, ticks make up only a very small portion of a turkey’s overall diet.

Throughout the year, wild turkeys primarily feed on seeds, nuts, berries, vegetation, and insects. Young turkeys, known as poults, rely more heavily on insects for protein as they grow and are therefore more likely to consume ticks than adult birds. Even so, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife notes that “turkeys are relatively ineffective predators of ticks,” meaning they do not consume enough ticks to significantly reduce tick populations.

While turkeys may eat some ticks, they are also common hosts for several tick species. Ticks can attach to turkeys as they move through wooded and grassy habitats, allowing the birds to transport them over long distances. As attached ticks naturally detach after feeding, they may be deposited in new locations, including residential properties.

Keeping Your Property Safe With All-Natural Tick Control

One of the best ways to prevent ticks from entering your property, whether on a turkey or not, is to make your property uninhabitable for ticks. Pure Solutions’ All-Natural Tick Control helps reduce tick populations in your yard using all-natural products that are better for the environment and families. Our proprietary solution is made from a blend of botanical essential oils, natural soap, and rainwater that is sprayed onto the entirety of your property by a trained technician, even in hard-to-reach spots. Upon application, our treatment targets all species of ticks found in New England. Between scheduled treatments, the residual barrier helps control ticks that come into contact with treated vegetation.

Please contact the Pure Solutions team for any additional information.

Sources:

Abbott, B. (2018, November 20). How Wild Turkeys Took Over New England. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/news/how-wild-turkeys-took-over-new-england

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Learn about Turkeys. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. http://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-turkeys

Kintz, L. (2023, November 22). The Great Tick Debate. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. https://www.maine.gov/ifw/blogs/mdifw-blog/great-tick-debate