All’s Quiet ... except for the larvae!!

Date: 9.14.2009

September is typically one of the quietest months (in warm weather) for human tick encounters. That is, except for the nearly microscopic larval stages of deer ticks and Lone Star ticks (sometimes called seed ticks). Billions of these tiny bloodsuckers are actively host seeking and feeding now. While larvae hatch from eggs pathogen-free, they can become infected with disease causing agents (like the ones causing Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis) if they take their blood meal from a pathogen-infected animal. Once infected, they can carry the pathogens through the winter (and their transformation into nymphs) until they emerge as infected nymphs next spring. Don’t be caught off guard -- You can plan your Spring 2010 tick control actions now!

Be sure to check out the new tick identification chart for seasonal tick activity in your region.

Go to Tick Identification

Current Tick Activity in the Northeast and mid-West United States

February update: Adult stage Deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are not killed by freezing temperatures! During winter months they can still be active on days when temperatures are above freezing. Activity resumes following several consecutive days of thawing temperatures, especially if the ground thaws. Learn more about the deer tick life cycle.

Let us know if you find a tick on you or your pet! Use our tick identification chart to identify tick and then visit the Current Tick Activity page to complete 2 question form.

Not from New England or mid-West? Visit our regional Current Tick Activity page for a complete view of ticks biting in your area.

Current Tick Activity

A tick with wings!? What's flat like a tick, sucks blood like a tick, gets on deer like a tick, but isn't a tick?

Tick Notes