You Won’t Be Happy To Hear That Alaska Is Experiencing A Major Surge Of Ticks This Year

Alaska's state bird may be the mosquito, but we've rarely been bothered by ticks. With all of the wildlife you can expect to find in this state, the tick hasn't been one we've had to watch out for just yet! Unfortunately that may begin to change. It looks like we're starting to find more and more non-native ticks in Alaska.

Alaska is usually known as tick free! In fact, many are surprised when they find out that Alaska does have them.

We actually have six species of tick that are native to Alaska. There are four species that use birds as hosts.

The other two species native to Alaska are the squirrel tick and the hare tick.

These ticks are very frequently seen on our local ground squirrels and hares. Even the ticks on these wild animals are increasing in frequency due to our warmer weather climate.

The Department of Fish and Game began monitoring ticks in Alaska in 2011.

The state veterinarians have been accepting ticks for the surveillance program, but its important to send them in ways so they are not crushed, or sandwiched between tape.

The non-native species that are showing up in Alaska are the American Dog Tick and the Brown Dog Tick.

These ticks are showing up on animals that are moving into the state. They are also showing up on animals that are outdoors playing with other dogs.

It is possible for these non-native ticks to establish residency here in Alaska.

Our weather is getting warmer, and now the ticks are able to survive our winters. The state veterinarians are testing the ticks to monitor for diseases.

It's important for us to be able to monitor the ticks that are coming in. There's one tick in particular that we need to keep an eye out for.

The Moose Winter Tick is a non-native species that can kill moose! The Department of Fish and Game highly recommends you send in any ticks you find so that Alaska can monitor and make sure that non-invasive species haven't taken up residence in our wildlife!

Have you ever seen any ticks in Alaska? Where did you see them? Let us know in the comments below!

Keep alert while you're out and about this spring, and Kick Off Spring In Alaska With These 7 Hikes Under Two Miles.