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East End Tick Control - Tick & Mosquito Pest Control

Serving Southold, The Hamptons, and Montauk

Tick and Mosquito Prevention: Eastern Long Island and the Hamptons

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Family walking through tall grass.
Ticks and mosquitoes are seasonal pests. Their quest for blood begins when temperatures reach above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and increases in severity as temperatures and humidity continue to rise. If you’re a homeowner living in Eastern Long Island or the Hamptons, you may be seeing tick and mosquito activity now. Reduce your chances of being bitten and the health risks that are often associated with ticks and mosquitoes breeding and living in your
area with some helpful advice from our experts.

In this blog, you’ll discover which ticks and mosquitoes are most prevalent in your area, prevention tips for keeping yourself, your family, and your pets safe, and what you can do to reduce the tick and mosquito populations living on your property.

Top 3 ticks living in Eastern Long Island and the Hamptons

Dog tick on a blade of grass

American dog tick

Black legged tick on a leaf

Black legged tick

Lone star tick on skin

Lone star tick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) – known for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
  2. Black legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) / deer tick – known for transmitting Lyme disease.
  3. Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) – known for transmitting Southern Tick–Associated Rash Illness (STARI).

 

Tick safety tips for the entire family

  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants. If possible, tuck pant legs into socks or boots.
  • Wear light-colored clothing to easily spot ticks crawling on you.
  • Wear insect repellents with an EPA-registered active ingredient, such as 20-30% DEET. For an extra layer of protection, treat the exterior of your clothing, shoes, and any outdoor gear with spray containing permethrin.
  • Avoid walking through tall grasses.
  • Conduct a full body check for ticks and bathe/shower within 2 hours of your return.
  • Tick checks are extremely important after outdoor activities. It’s essential to look closely too. Nymphs (young ticks) can be very tiny and easy to miss, and unfortunately are also the most likely to transmit Lyme disease. Tick nymphs may resemble a “walking freckle,” so stare at your arms and legs for a few minutes. Use a mirror to check your back and other areas of your body that are not readily visible.
  • If you are bitten, remove and save the tick in a sandwich bag that zips, or a jar. Different tick species are associated with different disease-causing pathogens, and it may be useful to have the tick properly identified. Local health departments and extension services from universities often offer this service free of charge.
  • Time is of the essence when it comes to removing ticks. Quick removal of ticks can reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.
  • Talk to your vet about seasonal tick protection for your pets.

 

Tick prevention tips for your yard

    • Keep walkways free from tall grass, shrubs, and vegetation.
    • Trim lawn often, keeping it on the shorter side.
    • Install a border of rocks to your landscaping to help deter ticks.
    • Limit feeding wildlife that can bring ticks into your yard.
    • Hire a licensed pest technician who can safely apply seasonal tick treatments to your yard, and who can also take care of other pests that may bring ticks into your yard.

 

Mosquito species to beware of in Eastern Long Island and the Hamptons

Asian tiger mosquito on finger

Asian tiger mosquito

House mosquito on skin

Northern house mosquito

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      1. Aedes mosquito species (Ae. albopictus) the Asian tiger mosquito – carrier of Zika virus, dengue, and chikungunya virus; (Ae. sollicitans) the Eastern saltmarsh mosquito – carrier of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and dog heartworm.
      2. Culex mosquito species (Cx. pipiens) the Northern house mosquito – carrier of West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus.

 

Mosquito safety tips for the entire family

      • Wear light-colored clothing. Mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors. As an extra precaution, wear long socks. Aedes mosquitoes are ankle-biters.
      • Add an extra layer of protection by wearing an EPA-approved insect repellent outside and reapply as directed. When pairing mosquito repellent with sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first.
      • Avoid outdoor activities during peak feeding hours (dusk and dawn), although some species are active all day.
      • Limit vigorous activities. The more active you are, the more carbon dioxide you emit, attracting hungry mosquitoes.
      • Talk to your veterinarian about heartworm preventatives if you own a cat or dog. WARNING: Avoid applying any mosquito repellents containing DEET on your animal.

 

Mosquito prevention tips for your yard

      • Eliminate standing water to help reduce populations around your property. Most mosquito species require less than a tablespoon of water for breeding.
      • Change, drain, or remove water in objects such as small swimming pools, toys, bird baths, fountains, spare tires, flowerpots, and pet bowls.
      • Keep roof gutters and downspouts clear of debris.
      • Fill any tree holes that may collect water.
      • Replace or repair broken screens to prevent mosquitoes and other pests from coming inside.
      • Trim vegetation and grass to reduce resting areas for adult mosquitoes.
      • Work with your pest management professional to treat mosquito hot spots.

 

Professional Help From Your Local Tick and Mosquito Control Experts

East End Tick and Mosquito Control is proud to provide our customers with over 25 years of extensive knowledge, servicing Long Island’s East End – from Moriches to Montauk, Wading River to Orient Point, and Shelter Island.

Our technicians are fully insured and licensed by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Don’t wait for mosquito and tick season to heat up, contact us online or call for a free estimate today! Southampton (631) 287-9700; East Hampton (631) 324-9700; Southold (631) 765-9700.

Protecting Kids From Ticks

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Tick on leaf above child in yard.If you’re a parent, then your child’s health is a top priority. We want our children to be active and enjoy the good weather through the spring, summer, and fall. Unfortunately, while the warm weather may be inviting… the warmth also brings about some pests that can cause serious harm.

Bee, hornet, and wasp stings can be a nuisance – and significantly more serious for those with an allergy. Mosquito bites can be a problem as well.

Today, we’re going to focus on one of the worst pests around: ticks. They’re so tiny that they can be easily missed, but they’re responsible for some of the most debilitating illnesses including Lyme disease.

So how can we protect our kids from ticks?

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Can I Be Allergic to Mosquitoes?

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Mosquito biting a woman's arm.For most people, a mosquito bite is only a minor nuisance. It itches for a day or two and then fades away. But for some individuals, a bite can cause more extreme symptoms. Leading them to wonder: Can you be allergic to mosquito bites?

The short answer is yes, it’s possible to be allergic to mosquito bites. Let’s take a look at mosquito allergies, identification, and treatment.

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Protecting Pets From Ticks

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Puppy scratching ear.Spring is in the air. Which means it’s not only time to enjoy the warmer weather, but it’s also tick season. Ticks are most active on Long Island during the spring and fall months. This means it is important to dress appropriately when going out in areas where ticks are known to inhabit – as well as thoroughly check for ticks. Not just for yourself and the people you love, but your pets as well.

While many diseases that humans get aren’t necessarily transferable to animals in the same ways… cats and dogs are all too vulnerable to tick bites. Our furry companions are just as susceptible to some of the worst results of a bite – including contracting Lyme disease and Tularemia. So how do we keep ticks away from our pets?

What Can I Put On My Pet So It Doesn’t Get Ticks?

There are a number of natural remedies you can implement to naturally repel ticks from your dog. By combining certain essential oils with water and vodka, you can create a natural tick-repellent spray to apply to your pooch. Please keep in mind that many essential oils are not safe to use with your cat, so this method will not apply to them. And regardless, you should discuss this with your veterinarian before applying any essential oils to your dog.

Citrus can also repel ticks. A similar concoction could be made by combining citrus elements (such as lime juice) with water and witch hazel and then using that as a spray instead. This should be safe for cats but it’s still important to consult with a veterinarian before implementing this tick-warding tactic.

Does Vinegar Kill Ticks On Dogs?

Apple cider vinegar is another natural tick repellant you can use with your dog. You can either add a small amount to your dog’s water or make a similar kind of repellent spray as described above. A spray like that could be applied in the morning before going on a walk. It’s important to keep in mind that while apple cider vinegar might help to repel ticks, this and other natural methods do not kill them.

While you should always be vigilant about checking for ticks when your pet has been exposed to a high-risk tick area… the only way to truly have peace of mind is to consult with pest protection professionals that can remove the risk of ticks from your property.

East End Tick Control® Can Protect You And Your Family, Including Your Pets!

Ticks are not only a menace to people, but to pets as well. We here at East End Tick Control® understand that your pets are your family, and we provide quality pest protection that’s mindful of the health of the animals you love. Comfort and peace of mind are just a phone call away. For those living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can also send us a message through our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What Type of Climate Do Mosquitoes Like?

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It seems like Long Island has more mosquitoes every year.”

The mosquitoes come out earlier and earlier in the spring and stick around later in the fall.”

Woman bit by mosquito in field.We hear comments like these frequently. Long Island residents tell us they’re seeing more mosquitoes, and that they’re encountering them both earlier and later in the year than they have in the past.

It’s not a coincidence that these concerns have come at the same time we’re learning that Long Island’s average temperatures are increasing by more than a half a degree every decade. That may not seem like a big change, but it’s enough to provide a hospitable environment for mosquitoes for a longer period of time each year.

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Too Early to Spray for Mosquitoes?

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Applying bug sprayLate winter in Long Island can be unpredictable. Some days feel like we’re living in a deep freeze, and others seem like we skipped right over spring and fell headlong into summer.

Deciding when to start spraying for mosquitoes can be confusing, to say the least. Luckily, mosquitoes are predictable creatures that always emerge from their overwinter dormancy under the same conditions every year.

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Bug Bite Treatments

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Bug bite on kneeWhere there are bugs, there will be bug bites and stings. With warmer weather right around the corner, we’ll soon see an increase in the number of bites, stings, and other less-than-pleasant human-bug encounters.

Luckily, most of these are nothing more than an annoyance – causing minor itching or discomfort. But some may require treatment at home or from your medical provider.

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Is Jurassic Park Possible Using Mosquitos Preserved in Amber?

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Just one drop of your blood contains billions of strands of DNA; the building blocks of life. A DNA strand like me is a blueprint for building a living thing, and sometimes animals that went extinct millions of years ago, like dinosaurs, left their blueprints behind for us to find…”

-Animated DNA Strand, Jurassic Park, 1993

Mosquito in amberSo began the explanation of how a drop of blood extracted from a 100-million-year-old mosquito could be used to create a living-dinosaur theme park in the 1993 Steven Spielberg movie “Jurassic Park” and provide fodder for its multiple sequels. Based on Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel, the premise of the science fiction/action movie is that ancient mosquitos preserved in amber could contain enough DNA for scientists to recreate dinosaurs.

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Winter Tick: Dermacentor Albipictus

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Moose in a snowy forestWinter typically isn’t prime time for ticks. Nearly all tick species are most active during the warmer months – April through September. Some even die off or become dormant when the weather cools. But there is one tick species that flourishes in cold weather… decimating wild animal populations and wreaking havoc on northern ecosystems.

What Is A Moose Tick?

The Dermacentor albipictus, also known as a moose tick or winter tick, is a parasitic arachnid. It is a one-host tick, feeding on a single host throughout its larval, nymphal, and adult life stages – only dropping off to lay eggs and die.

The moose or winter tick feeds primarily on ungulates like moose, deer, elk, or caribou. Sometimes they feed on horses, cattle, coyotes, beavers, or black bears if they cannot find another host. Although they rarely find their way onto humans, they have been found on pet dogs. So, care needs to be taken if you take your pets to an area where these ticks are present.

Why Are They Called Winter Ticks?

The dermacentor albipictus is known as a winter tick because it thrives in cold temperatures. Most tick species become less active during the cold months, but winter ticks are most active in autumn and winter – causing devastating consequences for their primary host species.

Even though they don’t transmit diseases, thousands of these ticks will attach to a single host for up to six months causing massive blood loss and extreme weakening. Moose are especially vulnerable to winter tick depredations. Moose will rub off their own fur trying to remove the ticks, subsequently freezing to death because they are no longer protected by their thick winter coats. In some areas of New England, these ticks wiped out nearly 90 percent of all moose calves during the winter of 2021-22.

Where Are Winter Ticks Found?

Found throughout Canada, Northern New England, Minnesota, and in certain areas of the Rockies; the dermacentor albipictus’s range is quite broad. Winter ticks aren’t a Long Island problem currently but – like many pests – their range is constantly changing.

They haven’t been officially documented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. But scientists are concerned that winter ticks may expand their range into the Adirondacks, Taconic Highlands, and other areas of New York State where moose are present.

East End Tick Control® Can Provide Year-round Tick Prevention

While moose ticks aren’t a problem for residents of East End Long Island at this point, black-legged (deer) ticks are still active in the colder months. If you see signs of any kind of ticks on your property, East End Tick Control® is your removal and exclusion expert. If you’re in Southampton, call (631) 287-9700; in East Hampton, call (631) 324-9700; or in Southold, call (631) 765-9700. You can also message us online for more information or to request a free estimate.

Mosquito-Borne Disease: Chikungunya

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Chikungunya diseaseWhile the winter months can offer us a brief reprieve from some pests out in nature, it’s always short-lived. One of the biggest persistent pests on Long Island remains the mosquito, an insect that’s active most of the year from the spring going well into the fall. Not only do their bites cause itchiness and discomfort that can last days, but they also spread diseases.

Mosquitos are known for carrying several diseases, one of the most well-known of which is the West Nile Virus. Today we’re going to highlight a lesser-known mosquito-borne illness, Chikungunya Fever. While this disease is rare in the United States, it has increased over the past decade. As travel continues to increase as the pandemic wanes, the risk of Chikungunya becoming more common here will increase. So, what do we need to know?

What Are the Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever?

Symptoms of Chikungunya Fever typically develop between three to seven days of the initial exposure. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. While fever won’t necessarily persist for long, the joint pain can be crippling and severe and could linger for months. Accompanying symptoms may include headache and joint swelling in addition to joint pain. Another disease symptom is Chikungunya rash, which can occur in patches over the face, torso, and limbs.

How Is Chikungunya Detected?

The only way to detect if you have Chikungunya Fever is through a blood test. The Chikungunya virus remains detectable in your blood for at least a week. Because of this, it is vital that if you think you may have contracted this disease, you avoid mosquitos biting you again, as that is how the disease continues to spread.

Who Is at Risk for Chikungunya Fever?

Such as the case with many diseases, Chikungunya Fever will more severely impact infants and the elderly. Those with comorbidities, including heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, will also be at higher risk for more severe symptoms from Chikungunya Fever. You are also more at risk if you travel to a part of the world where an outbreak occurs. It’s always important to research where you’re traveling beforehand for any diseases you may be at risk of contracting while abroad.

The only way to decrease your risk to zero is to keep mosquitos away from you and your family. And the best way to keep mosquitos away from your home is to consult with trusted mosquito control professionals in your area.

East End Tick Control® Can Help Protect You from Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Mosquito-borne illnesses like Chikungunya Fever can have debilitating symptoms that last for months and, unfortunately, have no treatments or vaccines to fight against or prevent it. The only way to avoid some mosquito-borne illnesses is to avoid contact with a mosquito. If you reside on eastern Long Island, you need trusted mosquito control that is safe for your family and pets. For those living near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. If you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always send us a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible