Beware of Blacklegged Ticks

Hunters should be aware — in some areas of the Buckeye State — of a new pest while in the hunting woods, the blacklegged tick. Much smaller than common dog ticks found in Ohio, the blacklegged ticks have been identified in two counties in Ohio, Coshocton and Ashtabula Counties, and are being watched in two other counties, Columbiana and Belmont. I spoke with Dr. Glen Needham, OSU Extension Entomologist, about the ticks and he said health officials have had reports of blacklegged ticks in the other two counties mentioned. Tests must be run on samples taken from these areas to confirm the species and see if they carry the dangerous Lyme disease. For more info. visit the ODNR website at: www.ohiodnr.com; Ohio Department of Health website at: www.odh.ohio.gov (search tick).