A black body with white stripes and prefers to feed on humans. It sounds like a horror movie, but the Asian tiger mosquito has these characteristics - and has made its way to the United States.

First detected in Houston, Texas in 1985, the tiger mosquito is resilient and can adapt to a wide variety of environments. This pesky insect has now been detected in 40 states in the US.

It is believed that the tiger mosquito, native to Asia, found its way to the US in used tires which are shipped globally and often contain standing water.

Are Asian Tiger Mosquitos in South Dakota?

So, where does South Dakota fit in this picture? Reports of the tiger mosquito are moving northward from the southern states. It has been detected in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, and now, Zachary Smith, AKA the PestDude, is warning that South Dakota should be vigilant and provides an interesting infographic on what to watch out for.

Back in 2010, the Yankton Press and Dakotan reported that  the Asian tiger mosquito was making its way northward and that “It will likely invade South Dakota in the next year or two.” This was 13 years ago...so is it here?

I'd bet on it.

“This insect originally hails from southeast Asia and has  been established in the U.S. for several years down south. It will likely invade South Dakota in the next year or two.” ~ Jon Lundgren, an entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Brookings, 2010.

In other words, if you see one, report it.

Is it dangerous? Much like ordinary mosquitos, they can carry a variety of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. And in just the last 5 years, the Zika Virus has grabbed a lot of attention.

We have noticed a huge surge in calls to deal with Asian tiger mosquitos. Pest industry conferences have recently highlighted the invasive species, and colleagues nationwide are reporting similar findings. Despite the detection of the first Asian tiger mosquito in Texas in 1985, its rapid spread has been limited until now. As a result, individuals, especially those traveling between states, are advised to use repellent, while those with yards are encouraged to eliminate standing water to help control the mosquito's proliferation,” says PestDude.com’s Mr Smith.

The best prevention? Insect repellant that contains DEET, or a lemon oil eucalyptus.

Also, make sure there is no standing water on your property such as old tires and low-lying areas where water may collect for longer periods of time.

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