TICKS!
It’s that time of year again. Time for, hiking, biking and TICKS!!!! Ticks can be a real nuisance and can carry several different tick-borne diseases, but with a little bit of information and some tips on prevention, you can reduce your risk of getting any of the tick-borne diseases. Three ticks, called vectors, are responsible for most of the tick-borne disease transmission: Deer Tick, Lonestar Tick, and the American Dog tick.
Ticks pass through four stages of development: egg, larva, nymph and adult. In the larval, nymphal, and adult stages, these ticks must locate and obtain a blood meal from a host animal to complete its life cycle. The host animal differs by disease but includes the white-footed mouse, meadow vole, birds and white- tailed deer. Humans are considered incidental hosts.
The peak activity of the adult deer tick is between mid-October and early December, becoming inactive when the temperature falls, and resuming activity from mid-March through April. The peak activity of nymphal deer ticks is late May to early June, but these ticks can be observed from April through July. Larval deer ticks are most abundant in late July and August. American dog tick adults appear in May and again in September, while larvae and nymphs are most prevalent in May-June and July-August.
Unfavorable habitats for deer ticks include open sunny areas such as lawns, athletic fields and other recreational areas, croplands and wetlands. In wooded residential areas, deer ticks can be found in wooded areas and along woodland edges. However, landscaped areas with dense ground cover plans also provide a suitable habitat for deer ticks. Dense shrub layer, leaf litter, and other plant debris play an important role in the survival of larvae and nymphs by maintaining conditions of high humidity. Lawns immediately adjacent to woodland edge may support low numbers of ticks. Lonestar ticks are most commonly found in forested areas, while American dog ticks are associated with field habitats. All three species can be encountered in the woodland edge.
Ticks require an extended period of time to insert their mouthparts and begin feeding. Generally, deer ticks must be attached for 24-36 hours before transmission of the Lyme disease-causing spirochete occurs. 40-45% of adult deer ticks are infected with Lyme disease, while nymphs are infected at about one-half that rate. Larvae are rarely infected. The Lonestar tick and the American dog tick also require an extended period of attachment for transmission to occur, but research on this and infection rates are not well defined.
Did you know that health officials report more than 75% of all Lyme disease cases are contracted within 100 feet of the home, making it a true “Backyard disease”. Our company’s goal is to safely protect your family against pests that bite, sting, carry diseases and destroy your property.
Now is the time to schedule your Exterior Vector Protection. This protective service is beneficial for your family’s health and wellbeing.
Included with your Vector Treatment is a full inspection and treatment of the prone areas around your property. This protective service will help control ticks, fleas, mosquitoes, and many other general crawling insects. Interior access is not necessary for this service to be performed. If inclement weather prevents completion of your service, we will reschedule it in a timely manner. If you should not be at home, a service slip detailing our integrated Pest Management inspection and treatment will be provided. Give Wildlife Busters® a call at 1-855-945-1212 and allow us to protect you and your family against Zika, West Nile or Lyme disease.
If you are experiencing a nuisance wildlife issue, whether you need squirrel removal, raccoon removal, woodchuck removal, skunk removal, bat removal give Wildlife Busters®® a call toll free at 855-945-1212 and we resolve your wildlife management issue professionally, efficiently and humanely. www.WildlifeBusters.com or www.TheBirdBusters.com
Community Wildlife Programs and Upcoming Events
Healthy Ulster Spring
Thursday 4/14 thru Sunday 4/17 – 10am-4pm
Early Spring Wildflowers
Sunday 4/17 & Sunday 4/24 10am-1pm
Toddlers on the Trail – Signs of Spring
Friday 4/29 – 10am-12pm
Rock the Ridge
Saturday 4/30 thru Sunday 5/1
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Grasshopper Grove Opens
Saturday 4/16 – 12pm-4pm
Naturalist Walk & Talks
Sunday 4/17 10am-11am
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday 4/30 – 11am-3pm
And for some Wildlife fun all year round visit:
The Bear Mountain Zoo located in the Bear Mountain State Park, NY
Receive FREE wildlife Tips!
