Are Ticks Gone In Winter?

We all know that ticks can spread disease. Some tick-borne diseases can have lifelong effects on an individual and an entire family, making it vitally important to know where these bugs live, how they get on people and pets, how long it can take for disease pathogens to transfer, and what time of year these bugs are active.

Let's take a quick dive into a tick's M.O. to learn more about these mainstay pests.

Ticks live in wooded and grassy areas. They don't fly or jump, so the only way a tick will get on you is by clinging to you as you pass by.

Since this is hard to do in short grass, you and your pets are most likely to pick up ticks when walking through grass that is over six inches in length. And, when a tick feeds, it can take 12 to 48 hours for illness to spread from the tick.

This makes finding and removing ticks an important part of disease prevention.

When are ticks active? We're sorry to tell you, but you're not going to like the answer to this one. Ticks can be active all year-round.

How Ticks Survive in Winter 

★ Ticks don't hibernate. While it can seem like ticks and other cold-blooded creatures go into hibernation, the truth is they don't.

When it gets cold, cold-blooded creatures simply go into a low energy state. This can appear like hibernation because extended periods of cold temperatures can cause a cold-blooded creature to become still for days, weeks, and even months. But, unlike hibernation, this low energy state can be interrupted when warmth is introduced.

That means ticks can be active if the temperatures increase, even for a single day.

★ These are parasites that live on warm-blooded creatures. While ticks, like other cold-blooded creatures, can't maintain a constant body temperature on their own, their hosts can.

This warmth can allow ticks to be active even when the temperatures outside are extremely cold.

★ It has to be pretty cold for ticks to go into dormancy. Experts estimate that ground temperatures have to be below 45°F to keep ticks from being active.

Should I Get a Tick Preventive Treatment in Winter?

So...are ticks gone in the winter? No.

They can be active on wildlife and your pets can still pick them up if they go into places where wildlife have been or have established a den.

It is also possible for wild animals to bring them into your home. If you have mice, rats, squirrels, or some other creature invading your house, it is possible for them to carry ticks in, even during winter months.

Don't take risks when it comes to bugs and wildlife. Protect your family from pests with ongoing support from a knowledgeable and experienced pest control company, like American Pest.