Officials with Alabama Extension at Auburn University want pet and livestock owners to be aware of health risks that the newly spotted Asian longhorned tick may cause. The Asian longhorned tick was found in Alabama for the first time last month on a dog in DeKalb County. It first appeared in the United States about nine years ago. The ticks have a reddish-brown color. The female tick can lay between 1,000 and 2,000 eggs, posing alarm for rapid growth. The species can also reproduce asexually. Large infestations in livestock can cause weakness, weight loss, anemia, jaundice and death. Skin irritation, weakness and anemia can show up in pets. To protect livestock and pets, use tick treatments such as sprays, pour-ons, ear tags and dips. Mowing tall grass, clearing brush and reducing shaded or wooded edges can help prevent infestations. Reporting by William Thornton Read more at AL.com #ticks #insects #disease #cdc #usda