Climate Change Is Turning Your Backyard Into a Year-Round Tick Haven

As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift across Long Island and beyond, blacklegged ticks are adapting in ways that put homeowners at greater risk than ever before. These disease-carrying pests are now active for longer periods each year, with extended seasons that bring both animal hosts and humans into contact with ticks over a much longer timeframe.

The Science Behind Extended Tick Seasons

Rising temperatures increase tick survival rates, activity periods, and accelerate their lifecycle development, leading to increased tick abundance and longer seasonal activity. Research shows that warmer years can advance tick emergence by nearly three weeks, with projected warming by the 2050s expected to advance nymph and larva activity by 8-14 days.

Blacklegged ticks are most active when temperatures are above 45°F and thrive in areas with at least 85-percent humidity. Climate change has contributed to shorter, milder winters and longer seasons, extending the period when ticks are active and increasing their survival rates. Most ticks become active from the time snow melts in spring until snow cover returns in fall, typically beginning their host-seeking behavior when ambient temperatures reach 4-10°C.

Behavioral Changes That Increase Human Risk

Climate warming is fundamentally altering tick behavior in several concerning ways. Climate affects the timing and success of tick host-seeking behavior, which may help explain changing tick behavior patterns over seasons, between regions with different climates, and alterations in tick behavior under climate change.

As a result of climate change, people resume outdoor activities earlier in spring and maintain them longer in fall. Combined with extended tick activity seasons, this creates an increased likelihood of tick exposure. The traditional “tick season” is becoming a year-round concern for Suffolk County residents.

Geographic Expansion and Local Impact

Climate warming has contributed to the expansion of tick species into higher latitudes in North America, with studies providing evidence that climate change has contributed to expanded tick ranges, such as in areas of Canada where ticks were previously unable to survive.

For Long Island homeowners, this means tick populations that were once manageable are now thriving in previously unsuitable areas. Under projected climate scenarios, the duration and extent of seasonal host-seeking activity is expected to increase in northern regions, with potential increases in human-vector encounter risk across affected areas.

Health Implications and Disease Transmission

The phenology of tick emergence has important implications for pathogen transmission, with longer lags between nymph and larva emergence potentially increasing transmission of persistent pathogens by allowing infected nymphs to inoculate naive host populations.

The diseases carried by these expanding tick populations are serious. Mosquitoes and ticks carry various diseases including Zika virus, West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Powassan virus, and ehrlichiosis. At best, these illnesses cause unpleasant symptoms; at worst, they can cause debilitating, life-long side effects and can even be deadly.

Professional Protection for Extended Seasons

With tick seasons now extending well beyond traditional timeframes, Suffolk County homeowners need comprehensive, professional protection. Jones Tree and Plant Care’s organic tick and mosquito spraying services provide integrated pest management for pest-free outdoor living.

Their approach addresses the new reality of extended tick seasons through safe and effective techniques including spraying, habitat modification, and proven control measures that can reduce mosquito populations by up to 90%. As a company owned and operated by New York State Board Certified Arborist Thomas Jones, they’re committed to providing scientifically based landscape management and delivering quality services.

For homeowners seeking comprehensive protection against these climate-driven changes in tick behavior, a professional tick spraying service offers the expertise needed to combat year-round tick populations effectively.

Taking Action Against Climate-Extended Tick Seasons

Jones Tree and Plant Care uses an integrated pest management approach to identify infestation sources and create pest control plans that meet specific needs and budgets, with professionals working to develop comprehensive plans targeting specific problem pests.

The company tailors specific programs based on individual customer and property needs, using a total tree and plant care approach to improve growth and curb appeal while using environmentally sensitive, affordable treatments that are effective yet safe for the environment.

As climate change continues to extend tick danger seasons, proactive professional intervention becomes increasingly critical. An investment in professional organic mosquito and tick control is an investment in health and overall well-being for you and your loved ones, providing the protection needed in our changing climate.