Mike Pearson takes a look at the Asian Longhorn tick and the impact the organism could have on the United States.

For the past 6 years, the Asian Longhorn tick has spreading across the eastern USA.

It has been deemed a dangerous tick simply because of how fast it can reproduce.

Some entomology researchers at Ohio State University went to a farm where a farmer found three head of his cattle covered in ticks.

There were able to reproduce fast and overwhelm the livestock.

There were no diseases found but the shear number killed the cattle.

Researchers put down a tarp and counted over 9,287 ticks in a 90 minute timeframe.

Researchers knew immediately the ticks were not native to the USA.

The problem with Asian Longhorn ticks is that each female can reproduce on its own and does not need a male which enables them to reproduce quickly.

A female tick can have between 1 and 2,000 ticks at a time.

So far, the ticks have been found in 19 states including Missouri and Arkansas.

The tick will be a nuisance and is spreading quickly.

The Asian Longhorn tick is likely to cover half of the USA in the near future.

The Asian Longhorn tick loves un-mowed pasture and producers can fight them with pesticides.

If you do suspect, you have found one on your property, contact your nearest extension agent.