Alpha-Gal Cases on the Rise: How Bad Can It Be?
Posted by Mosquito Squad
June 9, 2025
Alpha-gal, while not life-threatening, is certainly life-altering.
You might be thinking: alpha what? Alpha-gal is a tick-borne condition, which is transmitted by one tick species, the Lone Star tick. Even if you haven’t heard of this or of the Lone Star tick, there is reason to take heed. This condition is prevalent on the east coast, with a rise in cases in Southwestern Virginia most recently. The Lone Star tick, however, is expanding its range, and it has been identified in Connecticut! At Mosquito Squad of Hartford, we know that being informed about these things will help us formulate a plan to quell the prevalence of the disease in our area.
Wait, Do Lone Star Ticks Hail from Texas?
Actually, no. While the name of this tick sounds like he might come to Connecticut with a cowboy hat and spurs, they are native to eastern North America. They are home grown here on the east coast!
Where Are Lone Star Ticks Found?
Lone Star ticks, like others here in CT, live in dark and damp areas, especially along woodland floors, where wild animals bed down. They will take their blood meal from wild animals, livestock, our pets, and us. If you have an expansive backyard or pastureland, they could be hiding out in the recesses of your property, especially if you live near a treeline or wooded area. They could also be close to your home, having been dropped in by a wild animal.
What is Alpha-Gal Exactly?
Alpha-gal can be the result of only one bite from an infected Lone star tick. The specifics of what is left behind – what the ailment is comprised of – is an allergy. Not an allergy to tick bites. Not an allergy to the outdoor environment. An allergy to a protein found in pork and red meat, as well as related food products, like milk! Who knew that a tick bite could forever affect our dining habits?
What’s more, this allergy doesn’t cause illness right after we eat. It can take hours to kick in, leaving us not knowing what has happened. Is it botulism? Is it a stomach flu? Is it an upper respiratory infection? Once alpha-gal is diagnosed, folks begin the journey to cut these things out of their diets in order to avoid the negative reactions thereafter. When dining out, this can be difficult, as proteins are often cooked on the same surface. This means ordering chicken instead of pork or beef might not always work for those who suffer from alpha-gal.
How bad can alpha-gal be? Well, that depends on the person, their lifestyle and dining habits. For some, a minor inconvenience, but others more so. Some go through stomach flu symptoms, while others suffer with heart palpitations, severe hives, and other more serious symptoms.
How Big Can Alpha-Gal Be?
The CDC reports they believe as many as a half-million Americans are affected by alpha-gal. These numbers are huge – and they are also multiplying as tick populations expand and grow in number.
Mosquito Squad of Hartford wants to get your family one foot forward against alpha-gal by lowering your chances of a Lone star tick bite. Through our outdoor pest control offering, including highly effective tick control, we can help you be outdoors around your home with peace of mind.
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