Yes, some people are really superstitious and don't like black cats, or have actually had strange experiences with them and are afraid of them.
This is my first time having a black cat and I can say that apart from the fact that he knows very well how to manipulate me into feeding him more often, 😹 he is the smartest, sensible and kindest cat I have ever had so far.
There aren't many options for stopping ticks. I usually put Frontline on the cats in the spring and summer when the ticks are most aggressive. I kill them for a while with a tick removal tool, with which they are quickly and easily removed mechanically, I really recommend it, because the rest is just chemistry and certainly not very good for the cats.
However, there are times in the year when you can't do without chemical preparations, and although Frontline is expensive and no longer as long-lasting as it was years ago, it is the only preparation that is still effective in my opinion.