A new invasive species has entered North America, spreading rapidly since August 2017, read all about it.

The Asian Longhorned Tick back.

The Asian Longhorned Tick underside.

Invasive species enter the United States in untold numbers every day of the year, whether it be in fruits and vegetables or clinging to clothing. It's impossible to catch them all, many are carried in by unsuspecting hosts, others smuggled in for profit. Striped Bass and Turkey's on the West Coast, Wild Hogs, and Swallows were all carried in by people with the intent of sharing the goodness. Unfortunately despite noble intentions often their intent is overshadowed by the destruction caused. Rabbits inundated Australia years ago, the country also became the host of the failed experiment to eradicate the sugar cane destroying beetle. The Asian Carp experiment in the United States is an ongoing dismal failure like the others introduced to control an out of control native plant, animal or insect.

The species don't always come from far-away exotic countries, as in the case of the Striped Bass with an origin being the East Coast. They are a desirable game fish first introduced in 1928 it is considered to be one of the most successful introductions of a none native species. Brought by rail car by the thousands they were planted in the California Delta at the city of Martinez, 25 miles west of where I am sitting now. They were introduced due to their desirability of being a game fish, and the Delta fishing community accepted them with open arms. The California Striped Bass Association are strong advocates and protectors of them, unfortunately, the fish has become a pawn in the California water war.

Striped Bass can grow to be large.

Some travel longer distances, the Cane Toad, for example, was introduced from the Amazon to Australia during the year 1935. The intent was to eradicate the native grey-backed cane beetle (Dermolepida albohirtum) and French's beetle (Lepidiota frenchi) that was decimating the countries sugar cane industry. The introduced population of just 102 toads quickly multiplied due to no natural predators to an astounding hundred of millions covering that entire isolated continent. Wiping out a full 1/2 of the Water Monitor population within 5 years, it wasn't through yet. Crimson Finches, a main food source of the Monitors experienced a survival rate increase from 55% to 81%, knocking that eco-system out of balance.

Introduction of a non-native species is not the only negative way to impact a native thriving environment, eradicating native species are at fault as well. Wild Wolves were wiped out by settlers in Yellowstone Valley, the result was an increase in plant-eating animals, causing a decrease in the native plant population which in turn caused a decline in birds. We often hear of the domino effect, invasive species are many times the first to topple the beginning tile.

The United States is experiencing another invasive species introduction, we normally hear about them after the overpopulation and havoc is well on its destructive course. The Asian Longhorned Tick was first spotted in New Jersey, 2017. As of October 2018, they have been spotted in Arkansaw, Maryland, Connecticut, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

They were initially spotted in 2017 when a sheep farmer went to the Hunterdon County Health Office with thousands of them covering her body. The U.S. State Department had no idea where they had come from, but regardless they spent all of the remaining months of 2017 in a fruitless attempt at eradicating them. There have been 53 reports from people who have spotted the pests (H. longicornis) 38 on animals of which 23 were domestic, 13 wild animals, and 2 humans spanning one year from August 2017 thru September 2018. 15 other ticks were found in traps set out to monitor them, and some picked out of the grass.

They spread fast, and multiply faster, they are a fairly unique tick as a female is able to fertilize her own eggs, no male is needed, it makes me wonder why they still create males. Laying 2.000 eggs to a clutch, a multiplication table is not needed to imagine how widespread they are able to become in a short period of time. Up to now, there have been no reported instances of diseases being inflicted by these pests to humans, but the clock is ticking.

Potentially they are capable of carrying and transmitting several disease microbes as well as at least three deadly viruses.

*  Anaplasma, causing high fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches.
*  Babesia, a malaria type of parasite it infects the red blood cells.
*  Borrelia, 52 known species of the parasite, some are known to cause Lyme disease
*  Ehrlichia, a cause of the Ehrlichiosis infection of which animals are the main carriers
*  Rickettsia, causing Rickets and Typhus in humans.

There are 3 deadly viruses carried by the ticks as well: The thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), the Heartland virus, and the Powassan virus.

( Follow this Link to the CDC informational page)

In its native habitat bites from them have caused humans to become seriously ill, in South Korea during 2013, 36 cases of bites were reported resulting in 17 deaths. Research is ongoing as the full scope of the dangers presented by this invasive species as they apply to North America is at this point unknown. But there are measures we can take;

1)  If one is spotted remove it immediately, save it in a jar or plastic zip-lock bag with alcohol, then contact the local Health Department.

2)  Protect ourselves while outdoors by wearing long trousers, long sleeve shirts, full shoes, and closing pants cuffs with tape or rubber bands.

3)  Treat clothing and equipment with 0.5% permethrin, pretreated clothing is available which is capable of withstanding several machine washings successfully.

4)  Use EPA registered insect repellents, but do not use them on children younger than 3 years, read the labels and directions completely.

5)  Check clothing completely upon re-entering the house, disrobe directly into a washing machine, then a dryer is effective, inspection of the area where the clothing is removed must be done. Tossing the articles into the dryer will kill the pests lingering in the folds and creases.

6)  Inspect the entire human body, then take a shower and while doing so continue to perform a full body search.

Perform a full body search for Ticks.

The Asian Longhorned Tick has not been in this country for a long period of time but during that short time, they have been prolific, spreading like wildfire. Being different than any other tick we have experienced it is prudent for us to stay on the lookout, especially if livestock or pets are around the home.

Thanks for reading and sharing, the Asian Longhorned Tick is a newly discovered invasive species and is being taken extremely seriously by Federal, State, and Local Government agencies. I am confident a plan to combat this pest will be established and pursued head on. We must not let our guard down, any one of us has the capability of finding the first sample in our immediate areas, if we do it must be reported immediately to the local Health Department, they will take it from there. Thanks again.

JacquesLebec  EmergencyKitsPlus.com