Why Tick Season Doesn’t End When the Weather Turns Cold
Cooler weather might have you packing away the bug spray, but health officials say it’s too soon to stop thinking about ticks. Adult blacklegged ticks stay active through November in parts of the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest, and they can even come out on mild winter days.
That means common fall activities like raking leaves, hiking and hunting can still put people in contact with ticks long after summer ends.
Tickborne Illnesses Are Still a Concern
In early October, Maine health officials warned residents that fall outdoor activities can bring them into contact with ticks. By then, the state had already received more than 5,000 preliminary reports of tickborne diseases this year, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
“Many people think ticks are only a summer problem,” Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va said. But, Va added, “ticks can remain active throughout the fall.”
Why Ticks Stay Active in the Fall
Not all ticks follow the same schedule. Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are found across much of the eastern United States, and they can spread the germs that cause Lyme disease along with several other illnesses.
For these ticks, fall activity is a normal part of their life cycle. In Vermont, adult female ticks look for another host in October and November before winter sets in, according to the state health department. Pennsylvania also considers those months an active period for ticks.
A Frost Doesn’t End Tick Season
Many people assume the first frost marks the end of tick season, but that’s not the case. Blacklegged ticks can survive the winter and become active again whenever temperatures climb above freezing. Researchers in Wisconsin have found that adult ticks can keep searching for hosts during winter warm spells.
Changing weather patterns may also be giving ticks more time to stay active. Warmer springs and falls, along with fewer freezing nights, can extend the number of days ticks are out looking for hosts, Massachusetts health officials explained.
Where You’re Most Likely to Encounter Ticks
Ticks live in grassy, brushy and wooded areas, and they’re especially common in leaf litter. That’s why fall yard work can carry a higher risk than many people realize. You don’t have to be deep in the woods to encounter a tick. It can happen in your own backyard.
Hunters and hikers who spend time in wooded areas or tall grass are also at risk, especially on mild autumn days.
How to Protect Yourself This Fall
The CDC recommends these simple prevention steps when spending time outdoors:
Use repellent: Choose an EPA-registered insect repellent, and follow the directions on the label.
Check for ticks: After coming inside, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks.
Shower soon: Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off ticks that haven’t attached yet.
Use the dryer: Put dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks. Damp clothing will need more time.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can, then pull upward with steady pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick. Afterward, clean the bite area thoroughly.
Keep an eye on the area for the next several weeks. If you develop a rash or fever after a tick bite, contact your health care provider and let them know you were bitten. Early treatment can make a big difference with tickborne illnesses.
Fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and a few simple precautions can help you do it safely, even as temperatures drop.
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