Is The Asian Longhorned Tick In Maryland? Unfortunately, Yes

It’s no secret that Maryland is home to ticks. Every year as warm weather approaches, there are news articles galore about the various ticks in Maryland, and how to prevent them around your home and yard. And now, there’s even more to look out for, as the Asian Longhorned Tick has reportedly been spotted in the Old Line State. This invasive species just may be here to stay, so read on, and inform yourself.

If you've lived in Maryland for a while, you've probably spotted Dog Ticks, Deer Ticks, or even Lone Star Ticks. Well, now there's another type of tick that has made itself cozy in Maryland's ecosystem.

This is the Asian Longhorned Tick, or *Haemaphysalis longicornis.* Some also know it as the Bush Tick or Cattle Tick. It's native to East and Central Asia, as well as Pacific Islands like New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and more.

This petite pest was first spotted in the United States in 2017. The first known finding was at a New Jersey farm, and slowly, the Asian Longhorned Ticks moved to surrounding states, and beyond.

These ticks have now been recorded in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Invasive, indeed.

The Asian Longhorned Tick parasitizes a vast variety of mammals and birds. It can spread a disease called theileriosis to cattle, which can reduce milk production in cows, as well as reduce the quality and quantity of sheep's wool. Calves that become infected with theileriosis can suffer major blood loss or even death.

Experimental studies have shown that Asian Longhorned Ticks are not known to carry Lyme, or the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Research is ongoing, but so far, humans may be unaffected by its bite.

Have you spotted the Asian Longhorned Tick in Maryland? It certainly isn’t the only creepy-crawly to look out for, because there are also Kissing Bugs in Maryland, which are known to carry Chagas disease. Read up, stay informed, and use appropriate precautions when exploring the outdoors.

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Be On The Lookout, A New Type Of Tick Has Been Spotted In Maryland

Jamie Alvarenga

Author

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