Ohio tick populations on the rise

Ticks are becoming a bigger problem for Ohio farmers, livestock owners and pet owners. These pests are more than just annoying. Ticks feed on blood and can weaken animals, spread disease, and lower animal comfort and performance. In some cases heavy tick infestations have even led to livestock deaths.

Information from "Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases," written by Glen R. Needham and Susan C. Jones from the Ohio State University Department of Entomology and Richard E. Gary Jr. and Mary K. Daniels from the Ohio Department of Health, shows Ohio now has five tick species of concern for animals. That number has increased over the past 20 years as ticks continue to spread into new areas.

Several ticks in Ohio are important for livestock and pet owners to know:

—American dog tick: The most common tick in Ohio. It feeds on dogs, livestock, wildlife and humans. Heavy infestations can cause blood loss and stress in animals.

—Blacklegged tick (deer tick): Found in wooded areas and along fence lines, this tick spreads Lyme disease, especially to dogs. Infected dogs may become lame, tired or sick.

—Lone star tick: An aggressive tick found mostly in Southern Ohio. All life stages feed on livestock and pets. Large numbers of tiny larvae, called “seed ticks,” may attack animals at the same time.

—Brown dog tick: Rare outdoors but common in homes, kennels and barns where dogs live. These ticks mainly affect dogs.

—Asian longhorned tick: A newer and serious concern for livestock producers.

The Asian longhorned tick is an invasive tick that has spread quickly in Ohio in recent years. According to Tim McDermott, DVM, Ohio State University Extension educator, the tick was first found in Ohio in 2020 on a rescue dog. In 2021 it was discovered on a cattle and sheep farm. Ohio now has seven counties with confirmed detections.

This tick is especially dangerous for livestock because of the following:

—Female ticks can lay eggs without mating, allowing populations to explode quickly.

—It feeds on cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, wildlife, birds and humans.

—Large numbers of ticks have been found on cattle in July, especially in tall, mature pastures.

—Heavy infestations can cause severe blood loss, weakness and death, especially in young or stressed animals.

Dogs and working animals that spend time outdoors should be treated with vet-approved tick preventives, checked frequently for ticks and tested yearly for tick-borne diseases.

See a veterinarian right away if animals show signs such as tiredness, loss of appetite, fever or lameness.

Ohio State University Extension in Holmes County is here to provide information and resources. Farm visits are available to look at problems, pasture conditions and livestock concerns. I also love to come help identify ticks and other forage, tree or pond questions you might have. I can help answer questions and suggest management options tailored to each operation. I can be reached at hill.1357@osu.edu or call the office at 330-674-3015.

Local livestock and animal owners are invited to attend Tick Talk: Protecting People, Pets and Livestock, a free educational program hosted by Ohio State University Extension. Topics include identifying tick habitat; reducing ticks on farms and pastures; protecting livestock, pets and people; and Asian longhorned ticks and other problem species.

The event will be held from 1-3 p.m. May 26 at the Mt. Hope Large Livestock Auction Ring, 8076 OH 241, Mt. Hope, and from 6-8 p.m. in the Love Center's community room, 1291 Massillon Road, Millersburg. The program is free, but preregistration is required. To register, call 330-674-3015. More information is available at holmes.osu.edu.

Tune in next week. I hope to have exciting news to share about the mares, and we weaned calves this week. I also would love to have everyone weigh in on tips and tricks they use for weaning.

Janessa Hill is an ANR educator with Holmes County OSU Extension.