Late-Summer Tick Activity in St. Louis: What Homeowners Need to Know Now

Think tick season in the St. Louis area is over once July ends?

Think again. Throughout St. Louis, ticks don’t simply clock out just because school calendars are getting ready to fire up once more. In fact, August and September are still prime time for tick activity in the St. Louis area, and if you’re spending time outdoors, you should know they’re still out there too.

Hate Late Summer Heat? Ticks Thrive in It!

While some pests retreat in the heat, ticks are remarkably persistent. They are still active and present in your yard in the hottest of days. Moist, shaded areas around your yard, such as leaf litter, firewood piles, and overgrown grass from recent rain, make the perfect tick habitat. Combine that with pets or wildlife passing through, and your backyard can become tick central.

Tick Species to Watch Out for in the St. Louis Area

• Lone Star Tick: Aggressive biters known to transmit ehrlichiosis and cause a meat allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome.
• American Dog Tick: Common in Missouri, especially in grassy and wooded areas. Dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• Blacklegged (AKA Deer) Tick: Less active in peak summer but still a concern in shaded, wooded zones. Blacklegged ticks are notorious carriers of Lyme disease, among other tick-borne illnesses.

Why Are Ticks Still an Issue in August and Even in Autumn?

• Ticks don’t die off after summer (Wouldn’t that be nice?), but they simply relocate to protected areas, where they enter diapause until the weather warms once more.
• Many homeowners are still hosting cookouts, camping, and hiking in tick-friendly zones during August, September, and beyond. Cooling weather does not automatically equate to no ticks.
• Deer and rodents remain highly active during this time of year, and they can carry ticks right into your yard.
• Pets spending more time outside bring ticks indoors unnoticed, as well.

Tips to Remain Protected Beyond Summer

• Mow your lawn, and bag your grass clippings for proper removal.
• Install a 3-ft barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded areas around the recesses of your property.
• Check yourself, your kids, and pets for ticks after being outside, whether it’s hiking, camping, or in your own backyard.

• Schedule tick control yard treatments with Mosquito Squad to protect your entire property.

Search for tick control near me and call Mosquito Squad!

Don’t suffer mosquitoes, ticks, or other bugs in your backyard or at your special event. Mosquito Squad provides fast-acting mosquito, pest, and tick control services near you in the Greater St. Louis area. Schedule your free pest assessment and quote by calling (314) 582-3980 or filling out our online form. 

Also read: Incredible Mosquito-Related Facts