Be On The Lookout, A New Type Of Tick Has Been Spotted In Tennessee
By Chris Dodge|Published February 21, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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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.
We usually bring you coverage on some of the best places to explore all over Tennessee, but like real life, not every day is filled with mountainous vistas and beautiful waterfalls. Today we have some unfortunate news that we have to share with our fellow adventurers. There’s been a new tick found within our borders and here is what you need to know. Spoiler alert: it is not time to panic… just yet.
Ticks have to be just about the most disgusting bugs around.
Most people would tell you that the spider is the worst, but a tick is basically a spider that burrows into your skin and sucks your blood, so we're gonna say it's worse. The Asian Longhorned Tick has found its way into our country and into our state.
Here is what these little buggers look like so you can keep your eye out while you are hiking. We admit it's a little worse than the scientific drawing but they are only about the size of a pea.
This tick has been spotted in New Jersey first and has now spread to Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Research is still ongoing and even though they have discovered that this tick can carry the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, they do not believe it will contribute to the Lyme disease problem that most ticks are associated with. More good news yet, they do not seem to share an affinity for human flesh, so they are less likely to bite humans.
This is a picture of the Asian Longhorned Tick after it has gorged itself on the blood of its victim.
What do you do if you are to find one of these insects? Remove the tick with tweezers and then place it in a plastic bag sealed tight. Then contact the Tennessee Department of Health.
It sounds like terrible news, and don’t get us wrong ticks are terrible -- but that should never stop us from getting outside and enjoying all there is to see and do. There will always be an element of danger but the things waiting for you in Tennessee, make it all worth the effort.
So it is true we have found a new tick in Tennessee, but it is not time to panic yet. These little insects may be invasive but it has not been proven yet if they will make people or animals sick. Just keep an eye out and stay safe while hiking.
