Massachusetts Ticks Are Active in the Winter

As Fall has arrived, Central Massachusetts residents look forward to bidding adieu to the mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other insects that are one of the only downsides of summertime in the Bay State. One of the few exceptions to this rule is ticks. Ticks stay very much alive in winter. As long as there is no snow on the ground and temperatures are above freezing, adult ticks can be out and about, questing for a blood meal.

How to Protect Yourself From Ticks in Winter

While we don’t mist for ticks during the winter months, we know that through our Intensive Tick Treatment program you can limit the number of ticks on your property for the entire year. We’ll mist your property with our barrier tick mist every 2-3 weeks all summer long to eliminate adult ticks that are questing for blood meals. To further limit the tick population we bookend those treatments with twice per year tick tube drops. Tick tubes eliminate larval and nymph ticks when they are nesting with rodents. This combination results in a lower tick population year round, and the results are exponentially better the longer you are with us.

Tick Safety During Outdoor Winter Adventures

If you are an active outdoors person during the winter months, chances are you spend time in untreated outdoor areas during that time. To protect yourself from active adult ticks when hiking or spending time in nature it is important that you dress appropriately and conduct a tick check upon returning indoors. This is an easier task during cold weather, but the advice warrants repeating.

Tuck your pants into your socks to keep ticks out. When you arrive home, remove all of your clothing and put it in the dryer on high for 30 minutes to dry out the ticks. Follow our instructions for a full-body tick check to make sure there are no ticks hiding on your body, enjoying a delicious blood meal undetected. And don’t forget to check your dog for ticks if your canine companion came along on your outdoor adventures.

While we’d love to say ticks are a seasonal problem in Chelmsford and Cambridge, it is unfortunately not true. Ticks can quest during the winter for a blood meal, so vigilance needs to be maintained as long as the ground is not covered in snow and temperatures are above freezing. We look forward to protecting your property this season and for many seasons to come. Contact us today at (978) 381-4028!