Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — There's a new tick in town called the lone star tick.
They are not from Texas as the name suggests but are named for the single white spot on the backs of adult females.
Adult males have light-colored patterns on the outside of their bodies.
These ticks were originally most often found in the southeastern United States, but they have gradually been making their way into the eastern part of the country including New England.
At a nature preserve in Bridgewater, Plymouth County Entomologist Blake Dinius was out in the field looking for ticks, especially of the lone star variety.
During his search, he talked about the satisfaction of locating a tick, as well as thinking people may not appreciate how quickly they move. "It's exciting for me because ticks are what I'm looking for," he said. "But it's also like, holy smokes, I can't believe they move that fast!"
And if that tick fact doesn't creep people out, experts say these lone star ticks can carry a nasty surprise with their bites.
Repeated bites can cause a disease called Alpha-gal Syndrome, which makes a person allergic to animal mammal products such as red meat, cheese, and milk.
As scientists study lone star ticks and try and determine how their bites can cause this disease, they say the good news is using regular store-brand tick repellant is an effective defense.
WBZ News Radio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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