We’re no stranger to invasive species in Connecticut. Joro spiders, kudzu, spotted the spotted lanternfly: it’s not your imagination, there are more non-native species than ever in the news lately. The reason all these plants and animals are ending up in exotic locales is due to the increased level of air travel compared to decades past. It’s particularly easy for insects to hitch a ride on plants being shipped from overseas. Their small size makes them easy to miss by inspectors. One small critter that’s recently been spotted in Connecticut is the Asian longhorned tick. Read all about this invasive species:

The Asian longhorned tick, also known as the bush tick or Asian tick, typically doesn't live in the Western Hemisphere. Like all ticks, these arachnids are parasitic and live off the blood of mammals, birds, or reptiles.
Desmond W. Helmore/Wikimedia Commons
In their native continents of Australia and Asia, Asian longhorned ticks are considered agricultural pests. They particularly cause issues with cattle.
CSIRO/Wikimedia Commons
Over the last few years, Asian longhorned ticks have been spotted in dozens of states. It's thought that they are transported over land by birds.
James Gathany/Wikimedia Commons

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While it seems that Asian longhorned ticks are more attracted to animals than people, it's still best to check yourself (and pets!) over carefully after going through grassy or forested land during the warmer months.
Egizi AM, Robbins RG, Beati L, Nava S, Evans CR, Occi JL, Fonseca DM/Wikimedia Commons
Ticks are known to carry a variety of diseases, like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Thankfully, there have been no cases of Asian longhorned ticks transmitting disease in the United States, but residents of Connecticut should still stay vigilant.
Doug Beckers/Wikimedia Commons

If you find a tick of any species on you or a pet, grasp the tick with tweezers as closely to the skin as you can and pull straight upwards. Dispose of the tick in a sealed container soaked with alcohol or freeze them.

For more information about Asian longhorned ticks, check out the Centers for Disease Control website.

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