Tick Diseases Increase in Mild Winters
Ticks are notorious for spreading dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Many people assume ticks are only a warm-weather problem, but in reality, ticks can be active year-round—especially during mild winters. Understanding their behavior and risks is essential for protecting your family and pets.
Do Ticks Stay Active in Winter?
Ticks are more resilient than many other pests. While freezing temperatures can slow or temporarily halt their activity, mild winters create conditions where ticks can remain active throughout the season. Here’s how:
- Ticks Thrive in Mild Temperatures
- Adult ticks, especially species like the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), can stay active as long as temperatures are above 40°F.
- Mild winters allow ticks to continue feeding and reproducing without entering dormancy.
- Survival in Protected Microclimates
- Ticks hide in leaf litter, mulch, and dense vegetation during cold weather. These microclimates insulate ticks and provide the humidity they need to survive.
- Snow can even act as a protective layer, shielding ticks from freezing conditions.
- Hosts Provide Warmth
- Ticks that attach to hosts, such as deer, small mammals, or pets, can survive cold weather by relying on the host’s body heat.
Risks of Tick-Borne Diseases in Mild Winters
Year-round tick activity increases the risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases. Even a single mild day in winter can lead to bites and infections. Key risks include:
- Lyme Disease
- Spread primarily by black-legged ticks, Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that causes fatigue, joint pain, and neurological symptoms if untreated.
- Mild winters mean an extended risk period, even in months when ticks are typically less active.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
- Transmitted by the American dog tick and other species, this bacterial disease can cause severe fever, rash, and organ damage if not treated promptly.
- Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis
- These diseases, also carried by black-legged ticks, affect red blood cells and the immune system, posing risks to both humans and pets.
Tips for Tick Prevention in Winter
Even in winter, taking preventive measures can help reduce tick exposure:
- Clear Yard Debris
- Remove leaf litter, woodpiles, and other yard debris where ticks may hide.
- Create Tick-Free Zones
- Keep lawns trimmed and install barriers, like gravel or wood chips, between wooded areas and your yard.
- Check Pets Regularly
- Inspect your pets after they’ve been outside, even in colder months. Use veterinarian-approved tick preventatives year-round.
- Wear Protective Clothing
- If you’re spending time outdoors, especially near wooded areas, wear long sleeves, pants, and tick-repellent-treated clothing.
- Schedule Professional Tick Treatments
- Professional tick control services, like those offered by Mosquito Sheriff, target tick habitats and prevent infestations regardless of the season.
Learn more about our eco-friendly tick control solutions here.
Why Choose Mosquito Sheriff for Tick Control?
Ticks don’t take the winter off, and neither do we. At Mosquito Sheriff, we specialize in eco-friendly pest control treatments that protect your home, yard, and pets from ticks year-round. By addressing tick habitats and targeting problem areas, we help reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases in every season.
For more information on tick-borne diseases, visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).