The Summer of the Lone Star Tick

This is the summer of the Lone Star ticks.

Lone star ticks are surging and expanding rapidly from their historic southern range into the Northeast and Upper Midwest.

This is leading to a record number of tick-bite cases in what experts call the worst year yet for the overall tick threat.

Compared to the blacklegged deer ticks, Lone Star ticks thrive in more habitats (such as suburban lawns), lay far more eggs (up to 5,000 vs. 1,000–3,000), sense prey up to 15 yards away, and will actively chase you.

Once they bite you, they can give you alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy that can turn your burger into a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.

They are now spreading into cities.

ER visits for tick bites are spiking; even NYC parks aren't safe.

Anyone else checking for ticks every five minutes this summer?

Read more