Yes. Tick activity can continue well into fall, especially when temperatures remain mild enough for ticks to stay active.
Cooler weather on its own does not end the tick season. Many ticks, including blacklegged ticks, can remain active during fall. Some can even become active again during milder days in the winter. That means a cool morning won’t necessarily make wooded trails or leaf piles in the yard tick-free.
Conditions on the ground also matter a lot. Leaf litter and low vegetation hold moisture and create protected microclimates. Open lawns generally provide less of this shelter. Ticks spend a lot of their day in these low and sheltered environments, so the air temperature alone won’t tell the whole story.
From Northern Westchester up through Putnam and Dutchess counties, routine fall chores like raking leaves or stacking firewood can expose you to ticks. When temperatures are above freezing and there is no snow cover, tick exposure is still possible. Because these pests can remain active during milder winter weather, you need to maintain your basic preventative habits long after the temperature drops.
One of the most underrated ways to keep ticks in check is by mowing the lawn. The same can be said of raking or blowing leaves away from high-traffic areas and trimming back dense vegetation. If you are going somewhere that might be a tick habitat, wear clothing treated with permethrin or use a repellent with DEET or picaridin. Afterward, making a habit of checking everyone, including the dogs, is a necessary final step.
If ticks are still active around your property this fall, Mosquito Squad of Northern Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess County can help with tick and pest control based on current conditions. Call (914) 353-4921 or request a free quote online.
