Tag: Asian longhorned tick

Is the Asian Longhorned Tick in Massachusetts?

The Asian longhorned tick has made its way to Massachusetts — here’s what you need to know.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Asian longhorned tick has been reported in Massachusetts and several other U.S. states as of August 22, 2022. If you encounter a longhorned tick, there’s no need to panic. There are many things you can do to protect against this type of tick. And, there are several ways to prevent the Asian longhorned tick from becoming a long-term problem.

Hubbardston tick control

What is the Asian Longhorned Tick?

The Asian longhorned tick was first reported in the United States in 2017. Since that time, it’s been found on people, pets, and livestock. The female Asian longhorned tick is capable of producing up to 2,000 eggs without mating. In some instances, thousands of Asian longhorned ticks can be found on an animal or in grass and shrubs. Research suggests the Asian longhorned tick is less attracted to human skin than other potential targets. Regardless, the tick can bite you.

The Life Cycle of an Asian Longhorned Tick

An Asian longhorned tick has a life cycle that lasts about two years. The tick goes from egg to larva to nymph to adult. It needs blood to grow and survive. At each life stage, the tick finds a new host for blood.

What an Asian Longhorned Tick Looks Like

It can be difficult to distinguish an Asian longhorned tick from other types of ticks. The Asian longhorned tick is light brown in color. It is typically the size of the head of a pin as a larvae. The tick eventually grows into a nymph, which is roughly the size of a poppy seed. As an adult, an engorged Asian longhorned tick can reach the size of a pea.

What Diseases Do Asian Longhorned Ticks Carry?

Asian longhorned ticks carry bovine theileriosis and babesiosis, both of which can impact a variety of animal species. Scientists continue to study the Asian longhorned tick and learn about other diseases it may carry. They are also monitoring the spread of diseases by the Asian longhorned tick.

What to Do If You Get Bitten by an Asian Longhorned Tick

If you see an Asian longhorned tick on your skin, remove the tick immediately. Whenever possible, place the tick in rubbing alcohol in a jar or Ziploc bag. Then, contact your local health department or veterinarian to report the tick.

Hubbardston Tick Control Tips You Need to Know

A proactive approach to Hubbardston tick control is key. For those who are planning to visit wooded areas, beware the Asian longhorned tick. You can wear long-sleeve shirts and pants and apply insect repellent before you visit these areas. Also, it helps to explore tick control solutions for your property. That way, you can combat the Asian longhorned tick and other types of ticks moving forward.

Move Forward with Tick Control in Hubbardston

For the best Hubbardston tick control, look for professional help. You can work with a Hubbardston tick control company that helps you fight off the Asian longhorned tick and many other types of ticks. The company’s friendly, knowledgeable tick control professionals are happy to help you at any time.

Also read: Can Ticks Live in Your House?

This is is not science fiction: ravenous, self-cloning tick invading the US

This might sound like a sci-fi summer movie, but it’s real life for US residents now.  The Asian longhorned tick is feeding on America’s wildlife and livestock – and it’s the scariest tick you ever heard of!

Warmer wintertime temperatures are allowing ticks to live longer in the United States, and that includes accidentally-imported ticks, such as the Asian self-cloning tick that I have been reading about.

Reputable tick control companies are now offering tick tube programs, which effectively eliminate ticks by-proxy through nesting efforts of mice in the “off season.”  Mice will create their nests with cotton that has been treated to kill ticks.  The cotton does not hurt the mice, but when a tick bites one of the mice, who have nested with this treated cotton, it receives a lethal dose of the tick control treatment.  These extra measures are becoming commonplace measures in the Central Mass fight against these blood-sucking invaders, including the Asian longhorned tick that has us more worried than ever about effective tick protection.

longhorned tick kills bullWhat’s so scary about the Asian longhorned tick?

Not only does this thirsty tick having cloning abilities – females can reproduce without a male – but these tick clone armies are killing livestock by blood loss!  A recent report of young bull in Surry County, NC, who was covered with one thousand longhorned ticks, was drained of his blood supply, causing acute anemia (usually associated with hemorrhaging).  If this doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will!

longhorned ticks

This deadly, self-cloning tick was first reported in the United States in 2017, and has since been identified in at least 10 US states, including: North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Arkansas.  It’s likely already in other states too, including Massachusetts, but just has not yet been reported and identified!

Asian longhorned ticks

Longhorned ticks also spread diseases!

Though their cloning abilities and blood-sucking capabilities are the scariest bits about this hungry Asian import, the longhorned tick is known to spread tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted fever.

Dave Macchia, tick control enthusiast
Dave Macchia, Central Mass tick control enthusiast

The good news is that these thirsty tick-clone armies are eliminated with the same Central Mass tick control treatments used to kill other ticks!  I recommend protecting your home and family year-round with professional tick protection measures, including a tick control program!  An effective tick control spray can be applied to your property, eliminating ticks on contact, and continuing to work for up to three weeks – killing up to 95% of the ticks in and around your property.