New Tick Identified in New Jersey

Despite being in the midst of rainy season, we tend to spend a bit more time outdoors during the summer months, often hiking and camping. Unfortunately for us, that’s also the time that annoying bugs like mosquitoes and ticks are more prevalent, including a new species never before seen in North America. Last November, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture discovered an exotic East Asian tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), also known as the Long-horned tick or bush tick, on a farm in Hunterdon County. Just a couple months ago, the National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed that the new species of tick survived the winter and is now considered to be established in the area. Researchers don’t know how the tick got to our shores, but they are taking steps to eradicate it. While we haven’t seen the bush tick on the Gulf Coast of Florida, like the deer ticks we do often see, the adolescent or nymph form of the ticks are difficult to spot – looking like tiny pale spiders. So, it’s especially important to keep an eye out for your family and do regular checks on your pets. Ticks are responsible for ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Lyme disease. If you get a fever, headache and muscle aches within 2 weeks of a bite, see a doctor to get antibiotics. To prevent ticks from taking up residence in your yard, make sure your grass and bushes are kept trimmed and clean – we know, that’s harder to maintain during rainy season too! And if you find or suspect that your kids or pets have accidentally brought ticks into your home, give us a call. We have a safe, 100%  green pest solution that is much more effective than the harmful chemicals you may find elsewhere. And if you haven’t already, consider signing up for our comprehensive Go Green Plus 3 program to keep your home and perimeter safe from most common pests. We’ve been serving happy customers from Parrish to North Port for almost 30 years.