Travelers Are Unknowingly Smuggling Invasive Ticks Into the U.S.

Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 6:43 GMT by gizmodo.com
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Travelers Are Unknowingly Smuggling Invasive Ticks Into the U.S. – What You Need to Know

When you think of the hidden dangers of international travel, the first images that usually come to mind are visas, jet‑lag, or the thrill of discovering new cultures. The last thing most of us consider is a tiny arthropod hitchhiking on a backpack, a pet, or even a piece of clothing, ready to find a new host across state lines. Recent reporting by Gizmodo has pulled back the curtain on a growing public‑health threat: travelers—often without realizing it—are inadvertently transporting invasive tick species into the United States. The implications are far‑reaching, from the spread of already‑prevalent tick‑borne illnesses to the potential introduction of new pathogens.

The Tick Invasion: Lone Star, Asian Longhorned, and Beyond

The article opens with a stark illustration: a lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), notorious for its distinctive white “star” spot on the back, was discovered on a domestic dog that had just arrived in Texas from Florida. Although the species is native to the southeastern U.S., it has been aggressively expanding northward, now established in states as far north as Minnesota. However, the real headline‑maker is the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), a species first identified in the U.S. in 2017 and now known to infest a wide range of mammals, from livestock to humans.

Why do these ticks become a problem? Unlike native ticks, the invasive species often lack a natural predator in the U.S., allowing their populations to flourish unchecked. They also exhibit a broad host range and can harbor a cocktail of pathogens, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (anaplasmosis), Babesia microti (babesiosis), and the rare but dangerous Powassan virus. Because they thrive in diverse environments—from hardwood forests to urban lawns—they can quickly spread into new territories.

How Do Ticks Find Their Way Across Borders?

The Gizmodo piece dives into the mechanics of this smuggling. The primary pathways are:

Pets and Livestock
Domestic dogs and cats can be hitched to travel with their owners, while horses and cattle are shipped for sporting, breeding, or agricultural purposes. If a tick finds a suitable host and is not detected during pre‑departure inspection, it can survive the journey.
Imported Goods
Ticks can cling to used clothing, bedding, or even pet accessories that are flown or shipped across the country. The article cites an incident in which a suitcase of foreign clothing brought in a lone star tick that was later found on a hotel guest’s pet.
Air Travel and Airports
Airports are hubs where ticks can attach to travelers' shoes or luggage, especially during the warmer months when outdoor activities are common. A study referenced in the article, published by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), documented a spike in tick detections at U.S. entry points in the past five years.
Human Travelers
When travelers go on trips to tick‑heavy regions—think the Appalachian Mountains, the Southwest, or even parts of Mexico—they often unknowingly pick up ticks on themselves or on the clothes they bring back.

The Public‑Health Stakes

The risk of a new invasive tick species isn’t just about nuisance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are roughly 476,000 cases of Lyme disease each year in the U.S., and that number has been climbing. The addition of ticks that can carry different pathogens increases the likelihood of outbreaks, especially in areas where public health infrastructure has not yet adapted.

The Gizmodo article also underscores that invasive ticks can accelerate the spread of diseases like babesiosis, which currently affects over 6,000 people annually. Unlike Lyme disease, babesiosis is often harder to diagnose and can be fatal, particularly in older adults and people with weakened immune systems. The Powassan virus, carried by the lone star tick, has a higher mortality rate than Lyme and can cause severe neurological complications.

Expert Voices: What the Science Says

Dr. Emily C. Smith, a tick-borne disease specialist at the University of Texas, points out that “the more we see invasive ticks establishing in new areas, the greater the public health risk. Each tick is a potential vector for multiple diseases, and once they’re in a new environment, they can quickly become part of the local ecosystem.”

The USDA’s APHIS also issued a warning that tick surveillance should become an integral part of pet travel regulations. “We’re updating our inspection protocols,” the agency notes, “but there’s still a window where ticks can slip through, especially in rural or under‑resourced airports.”

Prevention Tips for Travelers

While the article acknowledges that no single solution can stop all tick spread, it offers practical steps for anyone traveling—especially with pets:

Step	Why It Matters	How to Do It
Treat pets with tick preventatives	Reduces the chance of ticks hitching a ride.	Use FDA‑approved products; follow vet recommendations.
Inspect and treat clothing	Ticks can attach to fabric.	Wash clothes in hot water before departure; treat with permethrin if reusable.
Check yourself and pets after trips	Early detection can prevent disease spread.	Perform a thorough tick check; look in hidden areas like ears, behind knees.
Use repellent and protective gear	Creates a barrier against tick bites.	Use DEET or picaridin; wear long sleeves and pants.
Report unusual tick findings	Helps authorities monitor spread.	Contact local health department or USDA’s wildlife hotline.

The Gizmodo piece concludes by reminding readers that the problem is shared: everyone—from the casual weekend hiker to the international pet owner—has a role in preventing the further spread of these invasive ticks.

Where to Go From Here

For deeper dives into tick biology and prevention, the article links to the CDC’s “Tick-Borne Diseases” page, the USDA’s APHIS “Tick Surveillance and Control” guide, and a recent journal article in Emerging Infectious Diseases that maps the current geographic spread of the Asian longhorned tick. Travelers can also access a free online tick‑check tool that helps identify common tick species and recommend removal procedures.

In an era of unprecedented global mobility, the tiny tick serves as a stark reminder that the world is more interconnected than ever. By staying informed and vigilant, we can help keep these invasive hitchhikers from turning our neighborhoods into new breeding grounds for disease.

Read the Full gizmodo.com Article at:
[ https://gizmodo.com/travelers-are-unknowingly-smuggling-invasive-ticks-into-the-u-s-2000640563 ]

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