By Emily Nogay, VMD, MS, Ohio State University

We made it! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the Ohio temperatures are climbing. If you’re anything like me, then your skin loves the sun and the warmth it brings. Unfortunately, that also brings out those creepy eight-legged crawlies called ticks. These blood-sucking little monsters have already started to come out of the brush and become pests for humans, dogs, cats, wildlife, and our livestock species.

Ticks are ectoparasites (a parasite that lives on the skin) which have four different life stages – egg, larva, nymph, and the adult. Once hatched from the egg, the tick needs a bloodmeal in order to move to the next stage. Different tick species have different host preferences, but each life stage can also have different host preferences. With these bloodmeals, ticks can pick up an infectious agent in that blood and harbor it within their bodies to then later infect a new host when the tick feeds again, making the tick a vector for the disease. There are many different species of ticks out there, and each species is known for being a vector for different diseases (such as Lyme disease) to humans, animals, or both. However, keep in mind that just because a tick can harbor and transmit a disease does not mean every tick will, and it is not always possible to know if that tick does carry the disease, even with laboratory testing.

Over the past several years, we have seen a steady rise in temperatures, more humidity, and shorter winters. This climate change has created a more favorable environment for tick survival and transmission of the diseases they carry. Common ticks found in Ohio include the blacklegged (deer) tick, the American dog tick, and the lone star tick. These can potentially transmit diseases to humans and animals, such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Alpha-Gal syndrome (red meat allergy).

The Asian longhorned tick has been getting more attention recently as it is an emerging tick species. This species was first identified in the United States in 2017, originally native to East Asia, and is quickly spreading. This tick is special because it can clone itself. The females can lay eggs without needing to find a male to mate with, which is allowing this species to establish fast-growing populations. This is especially alarming for the cattle industry, as this tick is known to transmit theileriosis (Theileria orientalis). Theileriosis is a blood-borne parasite of cattle that is very similar to anaplasmosis, causing anemia, weakness, jaundice, and death. Some animals can become asymptomatic carriers,, meaning they show no symptoms but can act as a way for the disease to spread through possible blood transfers (needles, ticks, etc.). Unfortunately, there is currently no approved treatment in the U.S. for theileriosis, which means prevention is necessary.

Prevention of ticks and tick-borne diseases such as theileriosis requires integrated approaches of routine inspection, insecticide treatments and environmental management. Inspection of cattle for ticks can be difficult, but, if possible, pay special attention around the eyes, ears, neck, brisket, tail head, udder, and the inside of the legs. The most common insecticide treatments are products containing pyrethroids, which help kill ticks and prevent new ticks from attaching. Whole-animal sprays, pour-on products, ear tags, and oilers or backrubbers can be useful for protecting against flies and pinkeye as well. Pasture management, including keeping grass along wooded edges short, burning fields, limiting cattle access to wooded areas, and rotating pastures (great for endoparasites, too!) can help decrease tick populations on your herd. Producers should discuss with their veterinarian which methods are best for their operation, but keep in mind that one solution is not enough. Reducing the tick population requires an integrated management approach.

Ticks are nasty little pests that can really ruin our summer fun for humans, companion animals, and livestock. It is important to remember that ticks are everywhere, even if you cannot see them, and they can carry some nasty diseases along with them. Be sure to discuss prevention and treatment strategies for all your animals with your veterinarian and keep yourself and your family safe this summer. If you are spending time outside, be sure to consider an approved repellent and wear permethrin-treated, light-colored long sleeves and pants tucked into socks. Be sure to shower and do a tick check immediately after high-risk activities, and remove ticks promptly and appropriately if found. For more information, visit the Ohio State Bite Site at kx.osu.edu/bite.