Be On The Lookout, A New Type Of Tick Has Been Spotted In Near Maine
By Chris Dodge|Published March 22, 2023
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Chris Dodge
Author
My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Mainers are no strangers to ticks, whether you are an avid hiker or not. These pests work their way into just about everywhere you look in our state. So when we bring news of a new tick near Maine, it isn’t the most pleasant message to deliver. The unfortunate truth is still the truth, and we just want to keep everyone aware.
The Asian Longhorned Tick is an invasive species that has made its way onto U.S. soil.
Just like most ticks, this one is the size of a pea, but there are a few things different about this one. The good news: these ticks don’t seem to care for human blood nearly as much as other ticks.
This species of tick isn't normally found in the Western Hemisphere; however, it was discovered in New Jersey in 2017 and has since worked its way around to Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If you noticed Maine was not on that list then you already figured out the second piece of good news: we have not spotted this bug within our borders... yet. Unfortunately, as you can see by how far it has spread so far and the fact that it has already made its way north to Massachusetts, the chance of it making its way to Maine is very likely.
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Now, onto the less positive news. An insect that looks like a small spider and burrows its way into your skin might seem bad enough, but that might not be the worst part about the Asian Longhorned Tick.
Although the likelihood of this tick spreading Lyme disease is low, researchers have discovered they have the potential to carry the bacteria that causes Rock Mountain Spotted Fever.
According to the CDC, they have not found a tick that is carrying that bacteria in nature, only that it has the potential to do so. It should also be noted that this species of tick has been known to spread other harmful bacteria in other parts of the world, and they have been found on humans, pets, wildlife, and livestock.
If you see one on you, you can remove it just like a normal tick, but don't simply toss the ticks you remove. Save them in a jar of rubbing alcohol or a plastic bag and contact your local health department.
Be on the lookout, but don’t let time pass you by without getting outside and adventuring in our wonderful state.
There may be a new tick near Maine, but so far it is not within our borders and we can be thankful for that. Remember to thoroughly check yourself and your pets for all species of ticks when you are adventuring outdoors and consider using EPA-approved insect repellants and wearing protective clothing if you are venturing into natural areas. You can find further information about the Asian longhorned tick on the CDC website.
