South Eastern Pennsylvania is currently besieged by an aggressive tick species. essential information about this infestation is provided below.
Fast-spreading Asian longhorned ticks pose a growing threat to Pennsylvania and surrounding states, as the invasive species swarms local parks and outdoor areas.
In an unusual encounter earlier this year, graduate student Payton Phillips was overwhelmed by hundreds of the bloodsucking creatures while hiking in Bucks County's Silver Lake Park.
"I was literally plucked off by ticks," Phillips said. "I could see them climbing up my boots."
The discovery of longhorned ticks in a New Jersey sheep farm north of Philadelphia in 2017 marked the species' first US arrival. Since then, they've rapidly expanded their range to 22 states and are now found in 27 Pennsylvania counties, according to Keith Price, who manages the Vector Management Laboratory at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
"The longhorned tick spreads an average of four new counties every year," Price said. "They're particularly prevalent in southeastern Pennsylvania, where they've seen a 150% increase over the past five years."
One of the main reasons for the tick's rapid expansion is its ability to reproduce asexually, with female ticks laying around 2,000 to 2,500 eggs without the need for a mate. Migratory hosts, such as white-tailed deer and black-capped night herons, can also carry the ticks vast distances, contributing to their spread.
However, the question remains as to how much of a threat longhorned ticks pose to human health. Previous research from Asia suggests that the ticks can harbor a variety of pathogens that affect human health. But it's unclear whether they can actually transmit those pathogens to humans.
In a recent study by Phillips, along with Temple University ecologist Jocelyn Behm and undergraduate student Jackson Fahey, no pathogens were found in longhorned ticks collected from forested areas around Philadelphia. This suggests that for now, there's no immediate cause for concern, as long as ticks aren't carrying diseases.
However, some of Price's lab's current research has found multiple human pathogens in longhorned ticks collected from Pennsylvania parks and public use areas. Among them is the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease, albeit at a lower rate than with local ticks.
The ticks are also more aggressive than other species and are more likely to swarm. They've also been found affecting domestic animals, like dogs, and can pose threats to livestock.
Fortunately, longhorned ticks, like local ticks, can be protected against through the use of protective measures during outdoor activities, as well as the application of US Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents like permethrin.
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- The fast-spreading Asian longhorned ticks are a growing threat to Pennsylvania and nearby states, targeting local parks and outdoor areas.
- Graduate student Payton Phillips was overwhelmed by hundreds of these ticks while hiking in Bucks County's Silver Lake Park.
- In 2017, the longhorned tick was discovered in a New Jersey sheep farm north of Philadelphia, marking its first US arrival.
- Since then, the longhorned tick has rapidly expanded its range to 22 states and is found in 27 Pennsylvania counties.
- Keith Price, who manages the Vector Management Laboratory at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, stated that the longhorned tick spreads an average of four new counties every year.
- The longhorned tick is particularly prevalent in southeastern Pennsylvania, where it's seen a 150% increase over the past five years.
- One reason for the tick's rapid expansion is its ability to reproduce asexually, with female ticks laying around 2,000 to 2,500 eggs without a mate.
- Migratory hosts, such as white-tailed deer and black-capped night herons, can also carry the ticks vast distances, contributing to their spread.
- Research from Asia suggests that the ticks can harbor a variety of pathogens that affect human health, but it's unclear whether they can actually transmit those pathogens to humans.
- In a recent study by Phillips, Behm, and Fahey, no pathogens were found in longhorned ticks collected from forested areas around Philadelphia.
- However, Price's lab's current research has found multiple human pathogens in longhorned ticks collected from Pennsylvania parks and public use areas.
- One of the pathogens found is the bacteria responsible for causing Lyme disease, albeit at a lower rate than with local ticks.
- The ticks are more aggressive than other species and are more likely to swarm.
- They've also been found affecting domestic animals, like dogs, and can pose threats to livestock.
- Protective measures during outdoor activities and the application of US Environmental Protection Agency-approved repellents like permethrin can help protect against longhorned ticks.
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