You know by now to look out for ticks when camping or hiking in the warmer season. So, when the weather in Vermont cools down for the winter you might think you no longer have to worry about these burrowing pests. Many pests common to the area are unable to survive in near-freezing weather, so ticks might do the same, right?

Bad news: ticks are more present throughout the winter than you have hoped. They aren’t as active as they are at the height of summer, but they can still pose a problem for homes across the state. So where do ticks go in the winter? Are ticks still a problem when it’s cold out? More importantly, what can you do to prevent these pests from getting warm and cozy on your property?

Vermont Ticks in Winter

There are 850 species of ticks, but only 90 are found in the United States. And if you look at Vermont in particular, you’ll find that there are three main varieties that pose a real problem. Ticks in Vermont include: 

• Lone Star Ticks, with long mouthparts and a white spot on their back.
• American Dog Ticks, the most common tick, with a darker back and smaller mouthparts.
• Deer Ticks, identified by their bright red back and maroon head. Females are most likely to carry Lyme disease.

Each variety of tick has its own individual habits, especially when it comes to living through the cold in Vermont.

Surviving the Winter

The lone star and American dog tick are both considered overwintering pests. That means when the weather cools, they seek out a shelter to go dormant until spring. This might look like hiding under a pile of debris or burrowing deep underground to insulate themselves in soil and snow. They can still cause a problem, especially before the winter when they are the most desperate to find a host before it gets too cold.

Climate change also plays a big part in the habits of these two varieties of ticks. It’s been noted before that Vermont is warming faster in the winter than anywhere else in the United States. That means the season where ticks are most active is longer than ever before. And for varieties like the deer tick, they now have no problem being active all year long.

Ticks, just like any parasitic pest, are uncomfortable for anyone that comes across them. For the sake of safety, it’s best to be on top of any potential infestations.

Checking Your Yard for Ticks

You don’t want to wait until you find a tick burrowed into you or someone else in your household. There’s a simple test you can perform with things you already have around the home. All you need is an old shirt, a stick, and a relatively warm day.

If you attach the shirt to the stick, it mimics the leg of an animal that a tick would want to use as a host. So, if you drag the stick over the grass of your yard, you might draw out a few ticks onto the material. If you do, you can determine for certain that you need tick pest control.

Tick Extermination in Vermont

Vermont Pest Control has been working in pest control services across the entire state since 1991. Since that time, we’ve treated tick infestations of every size and variety. We’ve built a reputation of comprehensive treatment, from that first holistic inspection to the follow-up appointment where we make sure the job we did held up.

Don’t start your spring with a threat of discomfort and Lyme Disease. If you think you have ticks in your yard, contact Vermont Pest Control today for a free quote!

Everyone agrees that finding a tick on your body is one of the most unsettling pest-related experiences, but ticks are even more notorious for their ability to induce Lyme disease in humans. As is the case with all pests that harbor diseases, pathogens, and bacteria, it’s important to understand the ways that ticks work so that you can protect yourself, your family, and your pets from their bites. If you’re looking to learn more about Lyme disease and preventing ticks, read on. We’ve compiled some expert advice from our technicians at Vermont Pest Control!

What is Lyme Disease?

The deer tick, also known as the blacklegged tick, is the tick species responsible for spreading the bacterium that leads to Lyme disease. Most often, deer tick nymphs spread Lyme disease to humans, rather than adults. This is because nymphs are only about 2mm long, much less noticeable than when they’re fully grown.

Initial symptoms of Lyme disease include headaches, exhaustion, pain in muscles and joints, fever, and rashes. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen into nerve damage and arthritis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe them to be related to a recent tick bite, reach out to a medical professional right away.

How to Avoid Ticks

To protect yourself from Lyme disease, you have to be aware of the habits and preferences of ticks. These parasitic pests hide in bushes, tall grass, or dense vegetation, waiting for small animals to walk by that they can latch on to. Lower to the ground, our dogs end up very vulnerable to tick bites, but it’s easy to come back from a long walk or hike with a tick on your own ankle, too. Here are the best ways to avoid ticks in Vermont:

• Wear pants and long socks when walking outside in densely vegetated areas
• Stay on the trail when hiking
• Perform a tick check on your pets when they come back inside
• If you find a tick attaching itself to you, use tweezers to pinch it as close to the skin as possible and gently withdraw it

Tick Control in Vermont

If you think that there is a tick presence in your backyard or the area surrounding your property, reach out to your local pest control company. Our tick exterminators at Vermont Pest Control are experts at locating tick hotspots. We can provide you with a property-wide inspection, determining areas at risk for high tick activity and applying professional tick control products to eliminate active populations. To learn more about tick prevention or to receive a free quote on tick pest control services, contact us today!

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!