If you think you’ve been seeing more ticks, you may be right. Those pesky little nymphs that arrived last spring become active again in the fall as full-grown, adult ticks. They are bigger now and much easier to spot. The good news is that since they are more easily seen, they are usually removed quickly, before they have time to transmit disease, so we usually do not see a big increase in cases of tick-borne disease in the fall. The bad news is that, although colder temperatures make them less active, adult ticks survive through the winter. So, deer hunters, and other cold weather outdoor enthusiasts, even dog-walkers, need to keep ticks in mind all year long. 

The main message here is that tick-borne illnesses should be thought of as a year-round concern in the Hudson Valley. The riskiest time of year is late spring and early summer when the nymphs, who are much smaller and harder to detect, are active. Fall and early spring is the time when adult ticks are most active. Luckily, this is also the time of year when it is easier to dress to cover legs and ankles and then toss the clothing in the dryer. A good ten minutes of high heat will do away with any ticks.  

As always insect repellents work well to keep ticks away. EPA or Environmental Protection Agency-registered repellents are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Examples include those containing the active ingredients Picaridin, DEET, IR3535 and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE). Clothing treated with permethrin also provides protection from tick bites. Permethrin can be purchased as a spray, or clothing can be bought pre-treated.

For more information on approved repellents visit: https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you or https://espanol.epa.gov/control-de-plagas/encuentre-el-repelente-de-insectos-adecuado.