If there weren't already enough disease carrying ticks in the U.S., there's now one more to worry about - the Asian longhorned tick. And it has the potential to make both pets and people very sick.
Until 2017, this tick had only been found in other countries, including China, Japan, Korea, and southeastern parts of Russia, Australia, New Zealand and the Islands. But by fall of 2018, it had been found in nine different states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Many experts believe that even though they weren't actually found until 2017, this nasty tick species has actually been in the U.S. for years. They have been found on pets, livestock, wildlife and people.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bites from Asian longhorned ticks can make both people and animals very ill. One of the most serious diseases transmitted by these ticks in other countries is hemorrhagic illness that requires hospitalization for most of victims and can even lead to death. So far, these ticks found in the U.S. haven't carried diseases, but the threat is there.
Experts Believe the Asian Longhorned Tick Will Spread Fast
The potential for the Asian longhorned tick to spread fast and furiously throughout the U.S. is very high, especially in the East and Pacific Northwest, where climate conditions are the most suitable for the parasite, according to a recent study reported in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
But there's another reason this tick can spread rapidly as well. The female can produce offspring all by herself - she doesn't need a male to reproduce and lay eggs. Another scary thing about this tick is its large numbers. According to the CDC, thousands of these ticks may be found at one time on an affected animal, rather than just one or two.
Ticks Are Still a Threat in Winter
If you've seen any kind of ticks in your home or on your pets this winter, Patio Patrol can help you protect your family against them. And even if you haven't seen ticks, it's important to remember that many species of ticks are still active in the winter and can enter your living environment on pets, especially on warmer days when temperatures are above freezing. Get your FREE, online service estimate here.
