Understanding Tick Behavior: Strategies for Long-Term Pest Control

Do you hate ticks? You’re not alone. A recent study by the National Pest Management Association found that 1 in 3 Americans are concerned about being bitten by bloodsucking pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and bed bugs. And for good reason — tick-borne diseases are on the rise.

Why Ticks Are Dangerous

The main reason ticks are dangerous is due to their ability to spread numerous diseases, including Lyme disease, Southern tick-associated rash illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and more. Consider these statistics:

• 1 in 3 adult deer ticks carry life-threatening Lyme disease
• The annual number of tickborne disease cases has more than doubled in the U.S. in the past two decades
• The total reported cases of Lyme disease to the CDC in 2022 was 62,551, a 44% increase from 2019.
• Even tick-borne meat allergies are on the rise.

Symptoms of tick-related illnesses:

According to the CDC, these are the most common symptoms to watch for regarding tick-related illnesses.

• Fever: All tickborne diseases can cause fever and chills.
• Aches: Tickborne diseases can cause headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. People with Lyme disease may also have joint pain.
• Rash: Lyme disease, Southern tick-associated rash illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis, can cause distinctive rashes.

As you can tell from that list, tick-borne diseases can be hard to diagnose as they mimic other illnesses. Learn more about the dangers of tick-borne diseases.

What You Need to Know about Tick Behavior

To properly identify a tick, it’s important to know what it looks like at each of its four life stages.

1. Egg: Female ticks can lay thousands of eggs, usually in the spring. Eggs are usually found in leaf litter.
2. Larvae: After a few weeks, eggs hatch into larvae. During this stage, ticks have six legs and feed on smaller hosts like mice.
3. Nymph: After feeding for the first time, ticks fall to the ground. During this stage, ticks have eight legs.
4. Adult: Ticks usually turn into adults during the fall and begin to look for a large host.

Watch this video from PestWorld to see the life cycle.

Ticks and the Weather

Tick behavior changes based on the temperature and weather. When the temperature is above 50 degrees, ticks become active and search for a host. This is also why ticks are more active during the day, with one study reporting they are most active from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. When the temperature is below 45 degrees, they go dormant and wait for warmer weather. When it’s cold, they tend to burrow in tall grass or other sheltered places.

Tips for Effective Tick Control

Effective tick pest control means reducing tick populations and minimizing their contact with hosts. Some of these measures you can do on your own, others will require the support of a professional pest control company like Ford’s Hometown Services.

Tick Control Tips for Homeowners

Investing in preventive measures to avoid tick bites is important. Consider these tips:

• Inspect your yard and outdoor areas for tick infestations
• Keep the grass short, remove leaf litter, and create barriers with gravel or wood chips to stop ticks from moving into your yard
• Protect your pets with tick preventatives like collars or medications
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and a hat when in tick-prone areas
• Get more effective prevention strategies

Professional Tick Control

Integrated pest management strategies, including both chemical and non-chemical methods, play a vital role. Professional tick control has many benefits, including:

• The ability to target ticks at different life stages more efficiently reduces their population and prevents reproduction.
• Knowledge to focus on areas that see the most animal travel
• Access to proven suppression programs aimed at your property’s borders