As colder weather arrives around New Jersey, creepy crawlies like ticks may no longer be on residents’ minds. However, Matthew Aardema, associate professor of biology at Montclair State University, said it’s a good idea to continue practicing tick safety during the winter months.
“Too many people assume that ticks are a summer phenomenon, when in fact our most dangerous ticks have become more active in the fall and even winter here in New Jersey,” Aardema said.
Sign in New Jersey
Several species of ticks can be found in the state, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife says. Ticks are an unwanted parasite for humans, pets and wildlife and can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Aardema said the most dangerous species in New Jersey is the black-legged tick, formerly known as the deer tick. It is a common vector of Lyme disease.
Although these parasites are often considered summer species, that is not always the case. Depending on the outside temperature, ticks can be active throughout the winter months and remain a threat.
What happens to ticks in winter?
An engorged female Asian longhorn tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis).
Ticks are not killed when temperatures drop below freezing, as many insects do. Instead, these arachnids, which are well adapted to New Jersey’s climate, become inactive as the weather cools, waiting for temperatures to rise so they can come back out and feed. However, with the warmer temperatures we are experiencing, ticks may be active and feeding at a time when they historically would not have been.
“I think there’s a perception that summer is the time when these ticks start to be a problem and that we should be concerned about them, when in fact it seems like they become much more active, at least in New Jersey. in the fall and even in the winter,” says Aardema. “Basically, every time the temperature rises above freezing, they can move and attach themselves to a pet or our pant leg… and then they can eventually attach themselves to our skin. bond and start eating.”
The unusual tick activity will increase as New Jersey continues to warm
The Garden State has had a warm fall this year, with temperatures “well above normal” during the first week of November, state climatologist David Robinson said. Unusual insects such as mosquitoes, gnats and crickets have remained active later than normal as October saw a statewide reading of 2.1 degrees above normal.
As temperatures continue to rise, it’s likely that unusual tick activity will too.
“If there’s consistent snow, if there’s consistent freezing temperatures, the ticks won’t be active,” Aardema said. “But as we see New Jersey getting warmer and warmer, there are a lot fewer snow events… there’s no snow, which leaves the ticks stuck in the leaf litter under the snow. If they’re under the snow, they won’t be able to bite .
“No snow means the ticks can crawl around and find the things they want to feed on, whether it’s deer or our pets,” he added.
Tick prevention during the winter months
Being aware of the fact that ticks can still crawl around in the colder months is the most important thing, says Aardema. “Just knowing that after you take a walk or spend time in the garden, even in December, January, February, if it’s not below freezing, when you come in or even before you come in, check your pant legs, your shoelaces and make sure there are no ticks attached,” he said.
Aardema also recommends people continue to take preventative measures to keep pets safe, including wearing a flea and tick collar, just as they would in the summer.
“I think the most important thing is to be aware that ticks are still active in the winter and just be vigilant,” he said. “Checking yourself, children and pets is very important to think about.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ticks in New Jersey remain a winter threat, expert warns
