NEBRASKA STATE - Nebraska is in the thick of a busy spring. While mushroom hunters are scouring river bottoms for the first morels of the year, state officials from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) and Nebraska Game and Parks (NGPC) have issued several high-priority alerts.
From "stomach-turning" worms to an aggressive tick forecast, here is what is on the move in the Cornhusker State right now.
1. The 2026 Tick Surge: A "Lyme High" Risk
Health officials are warning that 2026 is trending toward a high-risk year for tick-borne illnesses. Following a late-season spike in larval activity last fall, experts at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) have noted that nymphal deer ticks may have a significantly higher prevalence of Lyme disease this spring.
- The Nymph Warning: In late April, we are entering the peak for nymphs—ticks the size of a poppy seed. They are responsible for the vast majority of infections because they are nearly invisible on the skin.
- The "Lone Star" Expansion: The Lone Star Tick has been officially recommended for addition to the state-established invasive species list as of February 2026. This tick is the primary vector for Alpha-gal Syndrome (the red meat allergy), and its range is rapidly expanding across the state.
- Action Plan: Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily and perform a "pressure check" (feeling for small, stationary bumps) every time you return from the woods or tall grass.
2. Asian Jumping Worms: The Soil Threat
A major alert for April 2026 concerns the Asian Jumping Worm, which has been prioritized on the State Terrestrial Invasive Species list. These worms don't just "jump"—they are ecological engines of destruction for Nebraska gardens.
- The Danger: They consume organic mulch and topsoil at an incredible rate, leaving behind large amounts of "coffee ground" castings that lack nutrients and cause soil to wash away during spring rains.
- What to Look For: If you are gardening this month, look for worms that thrash violently when touched and have a milky-white band (clitellum) that completely encircles their body.
- Rule: Do not share compost or mulch from infested areas, as their tiny cocoons (the size of a mustard seed) are currently hatching in the spring soil.
3. Emerald Ash Borer: The "Slow-Motion" Crisis
The Nebraska Invasive Species Council and the Nebraska Forest Service have issued an update for 2026 regarding the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). While federal quarantines have been lifted, the beetle continues to migrate across the state, with recent focus on eastern Nebraska and the Missouri River corridor.
- The Forecast: While the loss of ash trees isn't immediate, experts warn that without intervention, most of Nebraska's ash population will be lost over the next few decades.
- Current Activity: Adults will begin emerging in mid-May, meaning April is the final window for homeowners to decide on preventative trunk injections for high-value trees.
- Action: "Buy It Where You Burn It." Moving firewood is still the #1 way this beetle hitches a ride to uninfected counties in western Nebraska.
4. Rattlesnakes: The Garage and Shed Search
As of April 2026, rattlesnakes are officially active. While social media often claims they are emerging "earlier than ever," biologists confirm the timing is exactly on schedule for the current temperatures.
- The Behavior: Male rattlesnakes are currently making wide circles around their dens in search of mates and their first meals of the year.
- The Danger: Because people are currently cleaning out garages, opening sheds, and starting garden projects, this is the peak time for accidental "face-to-face" encounters with snakes that have been overwintering in crawl spaces or storage areas.
- Safety Tip: If you see a snake, back away slowly. Most bites occur when people "freak out" and try to move or kill the snake themselves.
5. Morels and Wildfires: A Double Warning
The NGPC issued a unique dual warning for April 17, 2026, as morel mushroom season kicks off alongside the spring turkey season.
- The Hazard: Mushroom hunters are currently scouring eastern river bottoms. However, after recent wildfires, the NGPC is urging extreme caution. Do not enter areas with active smoke or "hot spots," and be aware that fire-damaged trees (like cottonwoods) are more prone to falling without warning.
- Safety Rule: Morel hunters should wear blaze orange this month. With the spring shotgun turkey season now open (as of April 18), you need to be visible to hunters who may be sharing the same wooded riverbanks.
Checklist for Nebraska Residents
- Tick Hygiene: Treat your gear with permethrin and perform thorough checks; the 2026 nymphal infection rate is trending high.
- Inspect Your Soil: Watch for "coffee ground" soil textures that indicate the presence of Asian Jumping Worms.
- Firewood Rule: Do not transport wood to state parks or campgrounds to protect the remaining ash stands.
- Wear Orange: If you are heading into the woods for morels, make yourself visible to turkey hunters.