Late spring through early summer is the most dangerous period for tick-borne disease, and it runs from late May to July. This is when nymphal blacklegged ticks are most active, and nymphs are responsible for the majority of Lyme disease transmissions because they're small enough to go undetected.
Many people are surprised by how early tick activity begins. In North Central Minnesota, adult blacklegged ticks emerge the moment temperatures rise above freezing in early spring. However, it is important to distinguish between when ticks are active and when they are most hazardous.
Adult ticks are about the size of a sesame seed. You can spot them without too much trouble during a regular tick check. This greatly reduces your risk because ticks need to be attached for a prolonged period of time to transmit Lyme disease.
Nymphs are more responsible for Lyme disease transmission than adults thanks to their small size. Nymphal blacklegged ticks are about the size of a poppy seed. They emerge in late May and remain active in the area throughout July. You could easily mistake one for a freckle or speck of dirt. This is what makes it easier for them to stay attached for the 36–48 hours needed to transmit Lyme disease.
Late May through July is exactly when people in the Brainerd Lakes area are spending the most time outdoors fishing, hiking, gardening, and sitting around campfires. The overlap between peak nymphal activity and peak outdoor recreation is what makes this stretch the most dangerous of the year.
There is also a secondary peak of adult tick activity in the fall spanning from September to November. Adults are looking for a blood meal before winter, and deer movement brings ticks into yards and trails where they might not be present in the summer. During this stretch of time, you’ll need to watch out for ticks. But thankfully, it’s not quite as bad as the spring nymphal peak because adults are easier to find and remove.
If you want to reduce tick exposure on your North Central Minnesota property during the highest-risk months, Mosquito Squad of N Central Minnesota can help. A technician will come to your property and find out where ticks are waiting for hosts. Then they’ll treat those areas, reducing populations by up to 90% with treatments every 21 days through the active season.
