Invasive Tick Species Detected in Tennessee

A new type of tick species has been detected in Tennessee.

UT Agriculture Extension Entomologist Dr. Rebecca Trout Fryxell said Asian Longhorned Ticks do not threaten humans or animals in the Upper Cumberland.

“Right now, we don’t think we have high numbers of this tick, and so this is really kind of a, you know we have only identified a couple of them so far in the state,” Fryxell said. “So we probably would see more Lone-Star Ticks and American Dog Ticks than other ticks. So we aren’t there yet, being able to identify any predictors associated with a tick-infested animal.”

Scientists originally identified the species in New Jersey during 2007. Fryxell said the Southeast Asian ticks latch onto wildlife, livestock, and pets.

“This tick does have the ability to transmit different pathogens in its native area,” Fryxell said. “However, in the United States, none of the ticks so far that have been tested thus far have been positive with any pathogens.”

Fryxell said the other species in Tennessee do transmit pathogens to animals and humans.

“So this isn’t the only tick in the United States and in Tennessee. We really have several different species,” Fryxell said. “One of the things just to remember is that we do have a variety of species of ticks in the state that do have the ability to transmit the different pathogens. So keeping an eye out for all ticks is a good idea.”

Fryxell said individuals should keep a lookout for ticks, especially during the summer months.

“If you find a tick on an animal, one of the best things we ask you to do is to save that tick. Take a good look at it and try to identify it, but we recognize that is pretty hard to do,” Fryxell said. “But to save it, store it in a Ziploc bag with the date. And hold onto it. If you notice anything wrong with that animal that’s when you can take it to a veterinarian.”

Tennessee is the 11th state to identify the species.