Ticks can still bite you during milder winter days.
Cold weather doesn't stop ticks entirely in Wisconsin. Blacklegged ticks can still remain active later into the year. Once temperatures get below freezing, that can make them go dormant. Then during milder spells, they can wake back up and bite you.
This matters a lot because ticks spend much of their time closer to the ground. Conditions can be very different for ticks than the air temperature you see in a weather forecast. Places like leaf litter and brush can hold moisture and provide shelter that keep ticks protected in harsh weather. Warm spells can therefore create opportunities for ticks to become active again even after Northeast Wisconsin has experienced frost. Many outdoorsy people in this area have gone outside on a day a few degrees above freezing and walked back inside with a tick.
If you are hiking, working in the yard, walking a dog, or spending time around wooded or brushy areas during a mild fall or winter day, keep taking commonsense precautions when it comes to ticks. Wear appropriate clothing, use an EPA-registered repellent according to the label, and check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after spending time in potential habitat.
Simple lawn maintenance helps a lot, particularly around areas where you spend a lot of time outside. Be sure to mow the lawn and clear leaf litter by blowing or raking. If you have dense vegetation, thin it out. Doing this gives ticks fewer places to hide, and it reduces the likelihood that they bite you on an unusually warm February afternoon.
If ticks are still showing up around your Northeast Wisconsin property, Mosquito Squad of Northeast Wisconsin can help with tick and pest control based on current conditions. Call (920) 821-1142 or request a free quote online.
