Memorial Day is officially behind us, which means summer is almost here. With it comes more time outside, including backyard barbecues, relaxing on the patio, playing with pets, and enjoying your yard after the rough winter and unusually cold spring nights. But early summer is also when ticks become more active across New Jersey. So, it’s important to start taking steps to protect your home and property.
Recent reports have shown increased tick activity across parts of the northeast, with NJ accounting for over 11% of nationwide Lyme disease cases. Homeowners throughout Monmouth and Ocean County should stay vigilant as tick populations continue to grow.
Why Tick Activity Rises During Summer in NJ
Ticks survive by entering dormancy during winter. As temperatures rise in late spring and early summer, they seek out hosts to feed on and complete their life cycle. This period is especially active because nymphs early in their life cycle are actively seeking hosts. Residents should be particularly vigilant for nymphs because they are small, difficult to spot, and capable of transmitting Lyme disease.
This season also provides the warmth and humidity ticks need to avoid drying out. Also, during This time of year, deer, mice, birds, and even people spend more time outdoors, giving ticks the opportunity to hitch a ride on a new host. These factors make June and early summer some of the busiest months for tick activity throughout New Jersey.
The Risks Ticks Pose to Health and Businesses
In addition to being creepy, ticks can threaten health by carrying diseases such as Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, posing risks to families and pets. Besides health concerns, ticks can prevent your family and pets from fully enjoying your yard. Business owners and property managers should be mindful of keeping their properties free of ticks to ensure a welcoming and comfortable environment for customers, residents, and guests.
Ticks hide in tall grass, landscaped beds, leaf litter, and wooded property edges, allowing populations to grow unnoticed throughout early summer. Regular property maintenance, including lawn mowing, hedge and perimeter care, and professional tick control treatments, can help reduce tick activity and keep outdoor spaces enjoyable all season long.
Common Tick Hotspots Around Your Yard
Don’t be surprised to find that ticks can live just a few feet from where you, your family, and pets spend time outside. Here are some of the most common places they camp:
- Tall grass and overgrown vegetation
- Leaf piles and mulch beds
- Wooded property lines
- Areas around sheds and fences
- Landscaped areas that attract wildlife
While keeping up with yard work can help reduce tick habitats, professional treatments are still the best way to reduce tick numbers around your home.
How Professional Tick Control Helps Protect Your Property
Potter Pest offers professional tick control services in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and nearby areas. Whether you’re getting ready for summer get-togethers or just want to keep your family and pets safe, start tick control and management before their numbers peak this season. Our professional treatments target the areas where ticks live and breed to help keep activity down throughout the season. If you’re looking for tick control in New Jersey, preventative treatments can give you extra peace of mind during the months when your family and pets are outside the most.
Your backyard should be a place to make memories, not to worry about ticks. Acting early this season can help reduce tick activity and make your outdoor spaces more enjoyable throughout the summer. Enjoy your yard. Leave the pests to us. Contact us today.