Ticks a growing concern for Alaskans

Common dog tick. (Photo by Gary Alpert)
It’s still largely a Lower 48 problem, but being bitten by a tick can have serious health consequences.
There’s Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease, both of which can cause long-lasting organ, joint and neurological problems, which in some cases can be fatal.
The good news for Alaskans is the ticks that carry that disease have not been found in Alaska.
The bad news is, there’s nothing stopping Alaska’s resident ticks from