Are Ticks Active in the Summer?
Massachusetts is finally warming up, and summer is not too far away now! As much as you want to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, warmer weather means pests are beginning to become more active—including ticks. Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know about tick activity in the summer.
When Are Ticks Most Active in Massachusetts?
Ticks are a pest with no real off-season—not even in the winter months. There are only times when they are more active, and times when they are less active. In Massachusetts, our warm summer months are their most active season. The CDC suggests they can be highly active for as long as March to September. The Massachusetts government tracks tick exposure and visits caused by tick-borne illnesses, and consistently over the past several years, tick-borne illnesses are highest from June to August.
The Effects of Ticks on Your Family
One of the biggest dangers ticks pose is the spread of disease. There are several illnesses ticks can transfer to humans, including:
- Lyme disease
- Powassan disease
- STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness)
- Tularemia
- Anaplasmosis
And many more. These illnesses range in severity, with Lyme disease being the most well-known tick-borne illness. If you or your family develops a rash, fever, muscle aches, or a headache after a tick bite, you will want to get checked by a doctor to ensure early treatment.
Beyond what ticks can do to humans, many people are unaware that often the most at-risk for tick bites are our beloved pets. Most people know to avoid tall grass and will keep their children from wandering into areas that may have ticks. But when you let your dog or even your cat out to roam or go to the bathroom, you may not always keep an eye on exactly what areas they are wandering to. Like humans, pets can get sick from tick bites—they can even contract Lyme disease. During seasons of high tick activity such as the summer, you need to protect your pets from ticks just as much as yourself or your family.
Where are Ticks Found?
As the warning goes, ticks are most commonly found in densely wooded or grassy areas, especially in tall grass. This means ticks can be found in your own backyard. However, they can find their way inside by catching a ride on your clothes, shoes, or pets. Once inside, they’ll likely find hiding places in furniture, pet beds, and cloth items such as sheets and clothes. If they are on your person or your pets, check crevices such as armpits and belly buttons for ticks—they like to hide in dark moist areas or somewhere easy to grab, such as hair or fur.
How to Prevent Tick-Borne Illnesses
The best way to prevent tick-borne illnesses is to avoid being bitten completely. This can be a difficult task, especially if you spend your summer days outdoors. But there are some ways you can keep yourself, your family, and your pets protected from tick bites.
- Wear long pants when you plan to be in grassy or wooded areas
- Wear light colored clothing, so that ticks can be seen
- Buy insect repellent with CDC-approved active ingredients
- Watch your step while you’re outside
- Check your clothes and person after being outside
- For pets, check around their collar and in their fur for ticks
- Take a shower within 2 hours of being outside
- Safely remove ticks from your person with tweezers
- Invest in professional pest control to reduce the number of ticks in your backyard
For more information on how to protect yourself from ticks, read more on our blog here!
Enjoy Your Yard This Summer with F&W Tick Treatment
Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself from ticks this summer is with professional pest control. Our team is trained in treating your home and yard with the best, most effective pest control methods to reduce their population. With F&W, you can feel confident again in playing in your backyard and letting your pets run free during our beautiful summer months. Not only does our tick treatment help reduce their population, but our 5-month treatment plan also protects your family and pets from mosquitoes, another disease-ridden pest. Don’t let mosquito and tick activity in the summer slow you down—get our professional treatments, and keep your backyard safe all summer!
