Every summer we hear the warnings about disease-spreading pests like ticks and mosquitoes. If you are like most people, you probably don’t start worrying about these pests until you find a tick crawling on you or you get bit by a mosquito. We are here to remind you that these pests are not just annoying, but can carry disease and should be taken seriously. While most of us equate these pests with the heat of summer, they can, and do, emerge in the early spring months.
When to Worry About Ticks and Mosquitoes
Don’t be lulled into complacency when it comes to protecting yourself from these pests. Early May is usually when New Englanders begin noticing mosquitoes exposing themselves at dawn and dusk, and then eventually all day long. As for ticks, April to September are the most active time for them to emerge and become problematic. However, many ticks emerge as early as March when a quick warm up occurs.
What To Do
Just as you would during the peak of tick and mosquito months, take some simple precautions to avoid these biting pests.
- Apply proper insect repellant to clothes and skin when necessary. Just because it is spring doesn’t mean that they are not carrying disease.
- Take precautions like wearing long sleeves, long pants, and socks when heading into the woods.
- Avoid being out during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are at their worst.
- Keep standing water away from your property where mosquitoes reproduce.
- Check everyone for ticks after spending time outside. Take a shower to attempt to wash away ticks that have not bitten you yet.
- Put dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks.
Visit our blog again in the coming months as we will keep you updated on tick- and mosquito-borne disease and how you can prevent them. Call Pro-Tech Lawn Care at (603) 382-9644 or Toll Free: (800) 313-4733, or visit our website.