Tick season in North Carolina

Tick season in the Triad area is a huge nuisance to pets and people but, with a little preparation, you can still enjoy the outdoors without worrying about picking up these nasty little pests. These tiny insects thrive in warm and humid environments, so it's important to take precautions when spending time outside.

First and foremost, make sure to wear long sleeves, long socks and pants when hiking or walking through wooded areas. Ticks are often found in tall grasses and bushes, so it's important to cover up as much as possible. Additionally, applying insect repellent with DEET can be an effective way to keep ticks at bay.

After spending time outside, be sure to thoroughly check yourself, your family members, and your pets for ticks. They can easily hide in hard-to-reach areas like the scalp or behind the ears, so it's paramount to be thorough. If you do find a tick, use tweezers to carefully remove it, making sure to grab it as close to the skin as possible. The head of the tick has special pincers to allow it to hold on even in the roughest places, so, when you do tweeze it, make sure not to leave the head in as this can cause lasting infections, including Lyme disease.

If you're concerned about ticks in your yard, consider keeping your grass cut short and removing any leaf litter or debris where ticks may hide. Ticks forage by “questing”, which is a slightly funny and interesting behavior where they climb to the top of a plant or bush and wave their little arms in the air until something comes along that they can grab onto. Creating a barrier between wooded areas and your yard, such as a gravel or wood chip border, can help prevent ticks from migrating into your outdoor space, as they don’t like to move through places without cover.

By taking these simple measures, you can still enjoy all that North Carolina has to offer during tick season. Stay safe and have fun exploring the great outdoors!

Tick season in North Carolina typically starts in early spring, around Late March and lasts through the summer months until October. They are most active in early April and midsummer, as this is when the different developmental stages of the tick come out for their blood meal and to breed. Luckily, Mosquito squad offers specialized tick treatments during these times to prevent the population from getting out of control. By staying vigilant and informed, you can enjoy the beautiful North Carolina outdoors while minimizing the risks associated with tick season.

Call Mosquito Squad at 336-617-5268 and ask about tick treatments today!