3 Reasons You Should Treat Ticks in Autumn

Tennessee ticks don’t celebrate the end of summer with a barbecue and pack it in for the rest of the year.

A lot of Nashville homeowners assume that once September rolls around, ticks aren’t a problem anymore. That’s because many people associate ticks with the summer. And once summer is over, then tick season is too, right?

Unfortunately, that's simply not the case. This might surprise you, but even as mosquito activity winds down with dropping temperatures, ticks are just getting started on their fall feeding frenzy. And this is exactly why autumn tick treatment matters—it can help protect your family from tick-borne diseases well into the colder months.

1. Ticks Remain Active Well into Autumn

Many pests become less active as temperatures drop. Not so with ticks.

Adult black-legged ticks (or deer ticks) are actually most active during cooler months when temperatures range from 35-45°F. These ticks need to feed before winter arrives, making them particularly aggressive in their search for hosts.

So if you happen to spot a tick with a white spot on your pet or family member, don't assume it's less dangerous because of the season. Tennessee's mild autumn weather is the perfect time for ticks to go wild. This is especially the case on those warm afternoons when families spend time raking leaves or enjoying time outdoors.

2. You Can Contract Tick-Born Illnesses in the Fall

Tick-borne diseases don't take a seasonal break. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis can all be transmitted during autumn months.

In fact, some studies suggest that fall tick bites may be more likely to transmit diseases because adult ticks have had all summer to potentially acquire pathogens from infected animals. The risk becomes even higher when you consider what people like to do in the fall. That is, activities like hiking, hunting, and yard cleanup. All of these can put people in direct contact with tick habitats.

Leaf piles, brush areas, and tall grass remain prime tick territory through October and November in Tennessee. Without proper protection, even a simple weekend of outdoor work can result in dangerous tick encounters.

3. Prevent Ticks from Overwintering Close to Your Home

Treating ticks in the autumn will give you some immediate protection. But that’s not the only reason to treat ticks in the fall. You also have, right now, a great chance to prevent problems next spring.

Ticks that establish themselves near your home during fall will hunker down in leaf litter, mulch, and other protected areas during winter. Come spring, they'll emerge hungry and ready to feed right in your backyard.

Professional tick control during autumn months helps eliminate these overwintering populations before they become established. Tick tubes and granular pest control applications can target ticks in their hiding spots, breaking the cycle before winter arrives. Acting now means you’ll have fewer ticks to deal with later when outdoor activities resume in earnest next year.

Choose Mosquito Squad for Nashville tick control!

Mosquito Squad treats mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and many more outdoor pests throughout the Nashville TN area! Contact us today at (615) 492-3662 or fill out our online form for your complimentary tick prevention near me assessment and treatment quote.

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