As the summer heat subsides and the trees begin dropping their leaves, the arrival of fall doesn’t just bring cooler temperatures. It also marks the continued presence of a pesky problem – ticks. While many people may assume ticks disappear with the summer, ticks remain a problem throughout the fall season in Northeast Ohio.
Ticks in the Fall
During the fall months, even as temperatures drop, the type of tick you will encounter is likely the black-legged tick. Female ticks lay their eggs in the spring, and young black-legged ticks, called nymphs, that survived spring and summer have grown into adults. Black-legged ticks are found in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States. Ticks remain active as long as the temperatures are above freezing, and the ground is not frozen in many areas in the United States. In the fall, ticks will hide in leaf piles, leaf litter, and in wooded areas.
Ticks in Northeast Ohio
According to the Ohio Department of Health, there are about a dozen species of ticks that have been identified in Ohio. The American dog tick, the black-legged tick, and the lone star tick are the species of ticks most likely to be encountered by people or pets in Northeast Ohio.
As in most areas of the United States, black-legged ticks are active throughout the year in Ohio. Black-legged ticks may be active during every month of the year in this area, depending on temperature.
Like many other states in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States, Ohio provides suitable habitat for ticks. Ticks thrive in areas with a combination of wooded and grassy environments, as well as regions with a diversity of wildlife that serve as hosts for ticks.
Tickborne Diseases
Black-legged ticks carry and spread several diseases that make people and animals sick. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Black-legged ticks can occasionally transmit other tickborne diseases, as well. Steps to prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, using a professional tick control service, and reducing tick habitats in your yard.
Preventing Tick Bites in the Fall
The best way to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites in the first place. There are several steps to keep yourself protected from these pets:
- Know where ticks live. Ticks prefer to live in forested areas with plenty of shade and tall shrubbery. In the fall, they seek shelter in leaf piles around your yard. Keeping your yard clean and maintained throughout the cooler months will make your yard less appealing to ticks.
- Use insect repellant when outside. Using insect repellant on your skin and clothes will deter ticks and help prevent tick bites.
- Wear the right clothes. When going outside during the fall, wear long sleeves, long pants, and tall socks to avoid tick bites. Doing this helps keep ticks on the outside of your clothes, rather than on your skin.
- Have your yard regularly treated for ticks. Use a professional tick control service during the fall. Not only will this control an active tick population, but it will also help get ahead of the problem when spring and summer come.
Worry-Free Outdoors
Concerned about ticks in your yard? MissQuito of Northeast Cleveland is here to help you have a worry-free outdoor experience. Our expert team will not only assess your yard and design a tailored plan to ensure tick prevention throughout the fall and year-round, but also provide you with valuable tips and information on maintaining a tick-free environment. Enjoy your outdoor space without the hassle of ticks with MissQuito by your side!