Can Ticks Survive through Winter?

It’s easy to assume that when winter rolls around, we can all stop worrying about the outdoor pests that bothered us in the summer. Many pests that live outdoors during the heat try to sneak inside for a bit of warmth during the winter, and others’ numbers tend to dip drastically. However, ticks tend to make do with what they can find in the fall, surviving through the winter in most cases. To learn more about how ticks survive the winter and what you can do to avoid them, read on. Our tick control experts at Vermont Pest Control deal with parasitic pests all year long and have developed seasonal strategies to get rid of them.

When Are Ticks In Season?

Many people know that ticks are most active in the heat. Many of us find that walking our dogs in the summer can be a hassle, because performing a tick check after walking in tall grass often leads to the discovery of a tick or two. Humidity plays a large role in their survivability, too. Because they don’t drink water, ticks prefer to live in environments upward of 85% average humidity to keep hydrated.

So, if they need heat and humidity, do ticks die in winter? Not always. Although a harsh winter can wipe them out, here are some ways ticks survive through the cold seasons:

• If they find an unknowing animal host to latch onto, they can use them for their body heat and nutrients through the winter
• If they fail to find a host, many ticks will hide in the leaf litter of wooded environments for protection and insulation as they go into a dormant stage
• Soft-shell ticks will burrow underground for a greater amount of protection

How to Avoid Winter Ticks

Tick activity drops dramatically when temperatures fall below 45 degrees and the ground is wet or icy. However,even though you’re less likely to deal with them when it’s colder, winter tick problems can still be a hassle for you and your pets. Here are some ways to protect yourself from ticks this winter:

1. Clear out your yard waste as often as you can. Ticks could be hiding in your leaf piles, so it’s best to get rid of them quickly.
2. Check your pets. Ticks love to latch onto our dogs, so after letting them outside or taking them on a walk, inspect them for any signs of ticks.
3. Ask for help from your local tick exterminators. Setting up a barrier treatment in your yard can make your property an inhabitable place for ticks.

Tick Control in the Winter

Deer ticks, infamous for being able to induce Lyme disease in humans, are living here in Vermont. If you want to be extra careful and protect your family from the dangers of ticks, you can rely on your local pest control company. Our team has 30 years of experience in tick control in our state, and can leave you feeling comfortable and secure in your tick-free home. For a free quote, contact us today!