Spring and summer are the most dangerous stretches for ticks because that's when the nymphs, immature ticks the size of a poppy seed, are most active. They're tiny and easy to miss, and they cause the majority of tick-borne disease cases.
If you're worried about ticks, that's reasonable. What might surprise you is when ticks are at their riskiest, and why. People often associate ticks with summer and fall. They're actually at their most dangerous in late spring and early summer, and you can blame nymphal ticks for this.
Nymphal ticks may only be about the size of a poppy seed, but that's part of the problem. They emerge to feed in late spring, remaining highly active from May through July. Their small size makes them surprisingly difficult to spot on your skin or hair. You must perform extremely thorough tick checks throughout the summer. This lets them stay attached for longer, giving them higher chances of transmitting disease before being noticed and removed. This is why nymphal ticks are responsible for the majority of Lyme disease cases.
Adult ticks are active in these months too, but again, they’re less likely to be an issue because they are more findable. For you, this means the practical response is to use repellent and do careful tick checks that account for how small nymphs are. Be sure to check the scalp, behind the ears, the waistband, and behind the knees. And if ticks are a problem in your yard, consider reaching out to a professional for tick control.
If you’re worried about ticks, Mosquito Squad of Greater Lansing can help. Mosquito Squad treats the places where ticks, both nymphal and adult, tend to hide. This can help you protect your family with up to 90% reduction in pest activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
