Are Ticks Active In The Winter?
If you’re like me, you may have been trying to wrap up some outside chores before the snow really starts to set in. And even though the temps are starting to trend low, I thought it would be worth mentioning a couple things you may appreciate for your safety.
It’s cold, so we shouldn’t have to worry about ticks and the disease they can transmit, right? Wrong!
The black legged tick (aka: Deer Tick) is the common tick that transmits Lyme disease. This rascal stays active all through winter as long as the temperature is above freezing. So, we shouldn’t let our guard down, even in the winter months. Interesting note: the deer tick doesn’t get the disease from deer. It gets it from small rodents like mice and then subsequently transmits it when feeds on other mammals, like you and me. So, any prevention strategies used to reduce tick feeding on mice will help reduce the risk of tick exposure.
Some believe that ticks can jump out of trees when they sense carbon dioxide. This is commonly regarded as a myth. Ticks will climb tall grass or similar vegetation to find a traveling host. So, any vegetation you can rub against could be a time when they grab on and climb. Regardless, as a general rule, if you spend any time outside on any given day, it’s a good idea to check for ticks, and even shower or bath before going to bed that night to ensure you don’t have an uninvited guest.
