The Tick Takeover: Why New Jersey's Ticks Are So Bad This Year
New Jersey residents, brace yourselves for a tick-infested summer! The experts at SavATree.com are sounding the alarm, predicting one of the heaviest tick seasons in recent memory. But what's behind this ominous forecast? Well, it's all about the weather, my friends.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions experienced a winter season that was a balmy 5-10 degrees warmer than average. This extended tick season, as these tiny bloodsuckers never went dormant and remained active all winter long. And with any day above freezing keeping them in the feeding mood, their populations are booming across the country.
The lawn care gurus at SavATree are witnessing the consequences of this warming trend. They're seeing ticks emerge earlier, with high nymph counts, and they're turning up in shaded and humid habitats, from yards and parks to leaf litter, stone walls, and dense vegetation. It's a ticking time bomb, and Monmouth and Ocean Counties are feeling the heat.
"Ticks are everywhere in Monmouth County," warns Jeremy Scannell, SavATree Certified Tree Safety Professional Branch Manager. "The Jersey Shore's coastal humidity and dense vegetation create ideal microclimates for ticks to stay active longer. Add to that high deer populations and wildlife encroaching into suburban neighborhoods, and you've got a recipe for elevated tick pressure in more places, more often, and in higher numbers than ever before."
So, what's a homeowner to do? Well, it's time to get creative with your gardening.
Scannell recommends clearing leaf litter and trimming back shady borders to create 3-foot wood chip barriers that disrupt tick movement. It's all about habitat management. Keep those borders clean and create a buffer zone between your lawn and wooded areas. Pay close attention to shaded and moist spots, as these are the areas where ticks linger the longest.
SavATree offers an organic tick treatment option, featuring a minimum-risk pesticide compliant with the National Organic Program. A full season of five to seven treatments from spring through fall is recommended, targeting the very spots ticks call home: shaded borders, leaf litter, wooded edges, dense vegetation, and humid microclimates around the Jersey Shore.
"We time applications around the tick life cycle, especially the nymph stage in spring and early summer," explains Scannell. "Our materials are designed to disrupt development, interfere with sensory and reproductive behavior, and make treated areas less hospitable for ongoing tick activity."
Tick activity can start as early as March and continue until the first hard winter freeze. But it's in the fall that adult females become impregnated, so controlling one female tick can prevent up to 5,000 offspring from emerging next year.
So, how can you protect yourself and your loved ones from these tiny invaders? Here are some tick prevention tips:
- Keep your yard trimmed and remove leaf litter. Create a buffer zone between vegetation and pet play areas.
- Avoid tick-infested areas. When venturing into wooded areas, wear long pants and sleeves.
- Use EPA-approved insect repellents like OFF or Repel.
- Perform tick checks after outdoor activities. Inspect your pet's body, especially ears, neck, armpits, and between toes.
And remember, if you do get bitten, use fine-tipped tweezers to remove the tick as close to the skin as possible, then clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Dispose of the tick properly, and consider consulting a medical provider for added precaution.
In my opinion, this tick season is a stark reminder of the intricate relationship between our environment and our health. As the climate continues to warm, these tiny parasites will only become more prevalent, impacting not just New Jersey but communities across the nation. It's a call to action for homeowners, gardeners, and policymakers alike to take proactive measures to protect ourselves and our ecosystems from the relentless advance of the tick invasion.
