Expert warns that this year's tick season is proving to be “tickier” than last year. Researchers at Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania, East Stroudsburg University said they are seeing an increased number of ticks submitted for testing and the spread of multiple species, including an invasive Asian longhorned tick with the ability to reproduce rapidly. The Asian longhorned tick was first confirmed in the United States in New Jersey in 2017 and it has since spread to more than 20 states, clustering mostly around the eastern third of the country. The University of Maine and state conservation officials said Monday they confirmed the presence of the Asian longhorned tick in the state in July, marking the farthest northeast in the United States the pest has been discovered. Asian longhorned ticks feed on numerous animals, including cattle and humans. They pose a challenge for pest control authorities because female ticks of the species can reproduce without mating, which means a single individual can create an infestation. Ticks are a major public health concern in the Northeastern U.S., where another species, the blacklegged or deer tick, spreads Lyme disease. In the meantime, the public can prevent tick bites by taking steps such as conducting rigorous checks for them, avoiding overgrown vegetation and wearing protective clothing, public health officials said.