The Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina is, unfortunately, part of our conversations about summer. When it comes to pests it seems that palmetto bugs (aka, cockroaches) and mosquitoes hog most of the air time. Yet, we have our fair share of plenty of other pests, and unfortunately, it’s time for a conversation about one of those. A new type of tick has made its way to the United States, first spotted in South Carolina on Sept. 17, 2018, according to a March 7, 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Since then people have wondered: Do I need to be concerned about this pest, too? Let’s take a look at this pesky Asian longhorned tick.

Of the five most common ticks in South Carolina, the Lonestar tick is the one most collected.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
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It can cause several illnesses, including alpha-gal allergy, a red meat allergy.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
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This is devastating if you're part of the Lewis Barbecue cult following.
The newer type of tick in South Carolina is the Asian longhorned tick, which made its way from Asia into the United States.
James Gathany/Wikimedia Commons
They are light brown and tiny creatures, first discovered in 2010 in West Virginia on a white-tailed deer.
It was first discovered in South Carolina on a human in York County.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
Teresa Kopec/GettyImages
Then in June 2022, an infestation of the Asian longhorned ticks was found in a cattle farm pasture in York County.
According to Dr. Melissa Nolan, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Arnold School of Public Health and Director for the University of South Carolina Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, “The concern, really, is that this tick could overwhelm livestock, or dogs, or people. So you could be out walking in the field with your dog, and you could get hundreds of ticks."
Engorged Female Asian Longhorned Tick in South Carolina
Commonsource/Wikimedia Commons
Pictured here is a pregnant, engorged female Asian longhorned tick. This species can reproduce at an abnormally high rate, because it does not need a male for reproduction. A single female can produce 1,000 to 2,000 eggs at a time without mating.

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Think about the ticks before you go out camping in the woods and take precautions.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
Patchareeporn Sakoolchai/GettyImages
Tips from DHEC for preventing tick bites and possible exposure to tick-borne illnesses include things such as keeping weeds and tall grass cut, avoiding tick-infested places such as grassy and marshy woodland areas when possible, treating clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin.
Other tips include wearing protective clothing tucked in around the ankles and waist, and showering with soap and shampoo soon after being outdoors.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
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A $585,000 grant was awarded to Dr. Nolan by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to enable a South Carolina tick surveillance program to expand its efforts.
Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina
Evanoco, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The public is asked to carefully submit ticks suspected to be Asian longhorned ticks for confirmatory identification. You may find some while hiking in South Carolina - one of our favorite pastimes.
To participate, carefully collect a tick by using gloved hands, tweezers, or another tool and send collected ticks, alive or dead, in a puncture-resistant sealable vial or zippered storage bag.
Douglas Sacha/GettyImages
Mail it to Laboratory of Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 921 Assembly Street #417A, Columbia, SC 29201.
Please include your name and phone number, the address or description of where the tick was collected, the date of collection, and indicate the host (person or animal).
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By sending in ticks collected from yourself, your pets, and your livestock, a better understanding of tick species and their pathogens distribution can be gained. This information is expected to be used to develop more effective vector control and veterinary health responses.

The Asian longhorned tick in South Carolina might be something you have spotted. If so, where did you see it? Did you know that you could collect ticks when you come across them to send in to help with efforts to improve how we deal with these nasty pests? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below! Discover more about these creatures on the USDA website. 

In the meantime, before you go out in the woods, find some good tick repellent. And head out confidently to one of the little-known hiking trails in South Carolina.

Enjoy A Secluded Stroll On A Little-Known Path Along This Protected Freshwater Island

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More to Explore

Hiking in South Carolina

Carolyn Harmon | April 30, 2024

What are the best hiking trails in South Carolina?

This list of 18 of the best hiking trails in South Carolina is worth looking over. A few highlights include:

  • Mountain Lake via Sulphur Springs Trail (Greenville): A 1.1-mile out-and-back trail allows a walk along a lovely stream ending with a peaceful waterfall.
  • Oconee Station and Station Cove Falls Trail (Walhalla): Another easy, 1.6-mile out-and-back trail through swamps and forests, also offers a big payoff of a magnificent 80-foot waterfall.
  • Mountain Creek Trail (Taylors): Located in Paris Mountain State Park, this richly forested 2.6-mile trail offers a stream, picnic areas, and restrooms.
  • Raven Rock Loop Trail (Sunset): This 4.2-mile loop trail is moderately graded, journeying to a natural bridge with rocky outcrops and a stunning stream crossing. A campsite offers reservations ahead of time.
  • Pinnacle Pass Trail (Cleveland): Almost 17 miles make this challenging route at Caesars Head State Park a real investment. The amazing view is one reason folks go to the trouble.

Where are some of the best wildflower hikes in South Carolina?

  • Nine Times Preserve (Pickens): The pretty area offers seven trails with the Trillium Trail one of the favorites. For one, it's only a quarter-mile-long round trip but offers some of the loveliest wildflower blooms on the preserve.
  • Warner H. Plahs Wildflower Field (Hilton Head Island): Folks can find this rare wonder at the enchanting Sea Pines Forest Preserve. It showcases more than 600 acres. The field bursts into inspiring blooms beginning in spring.

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