Ticks are commonly known as spring and summer insects, but they often stick around into late fall and even winter.
While tick activity will decline as temperatures drop, the type to watch out for is the black-legged tick, most commonly known as the deer tick (pictured at the top of the article). It can remain active in its adult phase through winter, so long as the temperature is above freezing and the ground is not frozen or covered in snow.
Three Tips
In order to keep ticks away from customers’ properties this fall and winter, I recommend:
- Mowing regularly until growth slows significantly (ticks do not like short-mown grass)
- Clearing grass clippings and leaves from properties (this gets rid of potential hiding spots)
- Applying bifenthrin or Scion to properties with any tall, infrequently-mown grass and properties that back up to treelines (this will control active adults on vertical foliage)
Quite a few of my customers are fans of EcoVia MT, which uses natural oils and 2-phenylethyl propionate to quickly repel and kill ticks. It’s an eco-friendly, botanical option that’s safe for use on all types of vegetation.
What Next?
Reach out to your ATS rep! They can answer your questions, help you explore product options, and provide expert advice as you prepare for fall and next year.
