Producer reports indicate tick populations already are high in southern Wayne County. Ticks have always been a concern to humans and livestock alike. This concern is slightly elevated with the migration of the Asian Longhorn Tick (ALHT) into Southern Ohio a few years ago. The tick’s range as gradually expanded, from first being identified in Virginia, to now being found in almost all of Eastern Ohio.
Most people are familiar with a tick’s ability to transmit lyme disease. The Asian Longhorn Tick also has the ability to transmit bovine theileriosis, which causes severe anemia, as well as other blood borne pathogens. The ALHT appears to be more aggressive and prolific than other ticks that are common to Ohio. ALHT females can reproduce without mating and lay up to 2,000 eggs. This allows populations to rapidly increase.
You should guard yourself and your livestock. Around your home and farms, keep vegetation controlled. Keep grass mowed around your yards and along areas that border woodlands. Frequently inspect your animals and yourself for ticks. Ticks will typically attach around ears, shoulders, groin and armpits.
How to extract a tick, what you can do with it
If you find a tick, grasp the tick close to the skin with tweezers and pull gently upward. If you are bitten, save the tick for identification, mark your calendar, monitor yourself for any signs of illness, an contact your healthcare provider. If you frequent the outdoors, wear longsleeved shirts and pants. Tuck your pants into your socks and utilize a tick repellent.
For your livestock, consult with your veterinarian about your animal health program to control ticks. Not all insecticide products we use to control other insect pests are effective on ticks. The acaricides family of products have efficacy on ticks. However, there are no products currently labeled to control the ALHT. Use of products extra-label can only be conducted under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.
If you have found a tick on you, and would like to get it tested you have the option to send it to OSU’s new tick lab. The lab will test ticks for common diseases of concern. You can find information on how to submit ticks at buckeyeticktest.osu.edu. There is a $49.99 charge for each analysis.
Get questions answered in Mount Hope and programs on the summer schedule
We have several big events coming.
up each month this summer. You will find those below, but I want to let you know of one reoccurring opportunity. If you are by the Mt. Hope auction on the second or fourth Wednesday’s each month, can stop by and see me at our information booth located on the west end of the grounds by the hay auction. We will have a supply of fact sheets from OSU Extension as well as being available to answer questions you may have. If nothing else, just stop by and say hello. Our next booths will be June 11 and June 25.
Small Grains Field Day The 2025 Small Grains Field Day will be held on the OSU Wooster Campus Schaffter Farm on June 18. There will be presentations on wheat profitability, fertility and pest management, as well as a summer weather outlook and tours of the OSU wheat and barley breeding plots and the USDA ARS Soft Wheat Quality Lab. The program is sponsored by the Ohio Corn and Wheat Board and is free to all attendees.
Dairy Summit and Twilight Tour The Wayne-Ashland Dairy Service Unit will host its annual Dairy Summit and Twilight Tour on July 15. This year’s host is the Sarah Douglas family at Zido Valley Dairy and the main event sponsors are Lowe & Young Equipment, Slicker Farms, and Avodah Contractors. The Diary Summit will begin at 3 p.m. Glen Arnold will discuss his research on application of dairy manure and Dr. Doug Jackson-Smith will discuss the impact of perennial forages and manure application on soil health.
There also will be updates from Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge, new OSU Extension ANR Program Leader Chris Zoller and ODPA President Scott Higgins.
The Twilight Tour will run 6-9 p.m. There will be a variety of food trucks available for dinner options. Meals are $10 per person. Attendees can view the tradeshow and tour the dairy facility.
Cow feeding clinic Finally, we are planning a cow feeding clinic for Aug. 8 at the OSU Wooster Campus shop. The all day program will discuss factors affecting feed quality, feed mixer management for delivery of quality feed, evaluating your feeding program and developing feed mixing protocols. The event is free and lunch will be provided.
If you are interested in any of these programs, you can check out the events calendar on our website at wayne.osu. edu. As always, I wish you a safe and prosperous planting season. If you have any questions or would like more information about one of our programs, you can contact me at the OSU Extension office – Wayne County at 330-264-8722.
John Yost is an extension educator IV, Agriculture and Natural Resources, at OSU Extension-Wayne County.
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.