Blake Newton, UK Extension Entomology
A few months ago, we posted a guide to the three most
important tick species that are found in Kentucky .
Since then, we have learned that one of those ticks, the so-called blacklegged
tick, Ixodes scapularis, may be
becoming more common in the south, and that several of these ticks have been
found on humans in the eastern part of the state. This information was reported
by UK Extension Entomologist
Dr. Lee Townsend in a recent article in the Lexington Herald Leader.
These findings are significant because the blacklegged tick
is the species that is most closely associated with Lyme Disease, a serious
illness that has become prevalent in the northeastern United States . The
good news for Kentuckians is that very few of these ticks have been found on
humans in our state. Also, recent research suggests that—while blacklegged
ticks are actually fairly common in the south—they are less likely to spread
Lyme Disease than they are in the north.
This might be because blacklegged ticks prefer different hosts in the South
(reptiles) than they do in the North (mammals). You can read more about this
study here, and here.
So the risk for Lyme Disease in Kentucky remains very low. Nevertheless,
this is a great reminder for anyone who spends time outdoors: ticks are out
there, and they can spread diseases. And not just Lyme Disease. As we mentioned
in our previous post, the other, more common tick species (such as the American
Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick) can also transmit diseases, including Rocky
Mountain Spotted Fever, that can be just as serious as Lyme Disease. The one
difference with the blacklegged tick: these ticks are active in cool months, so
if you are outdoors in the fall and winter, it is still a good idea to practice
tick-safety.
For detailed tips about how to keep yourself safe from
ticks, read our UK Entomology Factsheet, Entfact-618.
For more information about Lyme Disease: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
And Rocky
Mountain
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