When Do Ticks Become Active in Massachusetts?

Ticks become active in March in Massachusetts, which is why it’s important to take steps to protect you and your family from this pest.

Since New Englanders are used to a cold and damp March, they are usually not thinking of outdoor pests during the winter months. However, spring is right around the corner and families across Massachusetts are ready for warm weather and outdoor fun. That is why it is important to start taking action now to rid ticks from your property so you can enjoy spring and summer bite-free.

When do ticks become active in Massachusetts is one of the most common questions we get. The answer? March is the best time to take steps to protect you and your family from ticks in Massachusetts. Ticks arrive once the ground temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and some ticks in the area could even remain active throughout winter. Here are some more specific facts about ticks in Massachusetts:

• Massachusetts is home to 2 common species of ticks: the deer tick and the dog tick (the Lone-Star tick is less common.)
• Dog ticks are usually inactive during the winter months.
• The deer tick (or black-legged tick) is active throughout the state all year round.
• The deer tick is the carrier of Lyme Disease.
• It is a common misconception that ticks die or hibernate after the first frost. In fact, the adult deer tick can remain active from late fall right through to summer.
• According to Massachusetts’ Department of Public Health, tick activity peaks twice a year. Tick activity first peaks in March and lasts through August. The second peak occurs from October to November.

As the weather gets warmer, use these necessary tips to help protect your family and pets from a tick bite.

• Clear outdoor play areas of brush and fallen leaves
• Avoid places where ticks are likely to live like heavily wooded areas or long grasses
• Wear long sleeves, pants, socks that are at least mid-length, and a hat
• If possible, use tick repellent on your pets
• Always use bug spray containing DEET when going into wooded areas
• Use a professional outdoor pest control service like Mosquito Joe to protect your yard from ticks, mosquitoes AND fleas.

Pet owners and parents alike are concerned with tick prevention because a tick bite can have serious implications for children and pets. Five of the ten diseases ticks transmit to humans can be transmitted to pets. That is why keeping everyone (furry or not) around your household bite-free is important.

March is the best time to start protecting your yard from ticks.

Time is ticking! Take action this spring by scheduling your service today. Mosquito Joe of Walpole-Waltham specializes in mosquito and tick control by using a backpack sprayer to apply a barrier treatment, eliminating mosquitoes and ticks on your property for 21 days. We know Massachusetts​ pests and are best equipped to deal with them. Let Mosquito Joe be your second line of defense against these pesky pests! We offer a longer-lasting synthetic treatment, as well as an all-natural solution that also repels mosquitoes and ticks immediately.

Don’t be ticked off this year! Call us now so we can make outside fun again for you and your family!