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Winter Tick: Dermacentor Albipictus

February 2, 2023 by Brian Kelly

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.

Filed Under: Outdoor Pests, Ticks / Tick Information, Winter

When Is the Best Time To Begin Mosquito Control Services?

June 9, 2022 by Brian Kelly

best time for mosquito controlIt seems to happen overnight. The days get longer, temperatures rise, flowers burst into bloom, and then you hear the whining drone of a mosquito moments before you become its latest meal. You may not be expecting or prepared for them, but mosquitoes are predictable pests, always returning when conditions are ripe for their arrival.

What Time Of Year Should You Start Mosquito Spraying?

To know when mosquitoes will return (and when to spray for them), it’s essential to understand their life cycle and how they respond to temperatures and the changing seasons.

Mosquitos don’t fare well in cool or cold weather. They function most efficiently when temperatures are between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, become lethargic at 60 degrees F, and cannot function at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In New York, mosquito season lasts from April through October, but climate change will likely extend the season even longer in the coming years.

There are two main species of mosquitoes in this region, and both become problematic around the same time. The common house mosquito, culex pipiens, emerges from hibernation when temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The Asian tiger mosquito, aedes albopictus, often doesn’t survive winter temperatures. Still, the eggs they lay in late fall hatch at roughly the same point on the thermometer when their culex cousins emerge.

The best time of year to start spraying for mosquitoes is right before the season begins. It is more efficient to attack emerging and larval mosquitoes than trying to get rid of fully developed, fully functioning adult mosquitoes. If you miss this window, the fight will be a bit more complicated, but homeowners cannot ignore the battle.

When Is The Best Time Of Day To Spray For Mosquitoes?

The best time to spray for mosquitoes is when they are most active. Spraying is most effective when they feed, at dusk and dawn. This isn’t always practical, though, especially if you engage the services of a professional mosquito control company. They will visit your property during daytime hours, considering the differential between the time of treatment and peak mosquito activity.

Should I Mow Before A Mosquito Spraying?

Mow your grass a day or two before having your yard sprayed. This will discourage crucial pollinators like bees and butterflies from being in your yard and protect them from anti-mosquito treatments. Shorter grass provides less cover for mosquitoes and other unwanted pests, so it’s sensible to keep it trimmed regularly anyway.

Should I Wait Until After It Rains To Spray For Mosquitoes?

Mosquito sprays and foggers target flying insects, so rain does not necessarily affect spray treatments. Other mosquito treatments are usually oil-based and water-insoluble, so they will not wash away in the rain. It is wise to give these some time to bond to surfaces and foliage before exposing them to rain, lawn sprinklers, or other water sources. Your mosquito control professional will provide detailed instructions on how long you should wait before allowing a specific treatment to get wet.

We Are Your Mosquito Control Expert

One of the best things you can do to defend your family, pets, and property from this pest is getting a mosquito yard spray treatment from East End Tick and Mosquito Control®. If you wish to schedule a preventative yard spray, give our experts a call today. We have been Eastern Suffolk’s most trusted name in tick and mosquito control for 25 years. If you live near Southampton, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. And if you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700. You can always email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Mosquitoes, Outdoor Pests, Prevention

Were Mosquitoes Around in Prehistoric Times?

March 24, 2022 by Brian Kelly

prehistoric mosquitosMosquitos have been a pest for a long time – but how long? With the sixth and newest Jurassic Park film, Jurassic World: Dominion, set to arrive in theaters this spring, it’s a good time to look at how old mosquitos are.

As most of you are probably aware, in the films, scientists were able to get dinosaur DNA from blood samples found in the stomachs of prehistoric mosquitos that had been trapped in amber. Is that just a fanciful idea for a science fiction movie, or are mosquitoes so old that they could have bitten dinosaurs?

What Is the Oldest Mosquito?

First of all, did mosquitos exist simultaneously the giant sauropods of antiquity? According to Dr. Ralph Harbach of the Natural History Museum in London, it’s entirely possible.

“Since some of today’s mosquitoes also feed on reptiles, could the more ancient mosquitoes have sucked from a dinosaur?” Dr. Harbach said: “it’s possible. Evidence suggests mosquitoes evolved in the Jurassic Period (200-146 million years ago). If the early ancestral mosquitoes had already evolved to feed on blood, it is conceivable that they may have fed on dinosaurs.”

How Does a Mosquito Get into Amber?

Amber is fossilized tree sap, and tree sap is often sweet-smelling. The most common theory is that mosquitoes would land on a tree branch attracted by the smell and get trapped. Over the centuries, the amber would fossilize, preserving the insect. It is a comparatively typical process, and many types of prehistoric insects have been found preserved this way.

Were There Giant Mosquitoes in Prehistoric Times?

There were giant insects deep in Earth’s past, a side effect of much higher oxygen levels in the atmosphere allowing them to reach sizes that sometimes approached several feet, just like something in a movie. These titans of the insect world attained their largest sizes approximately 300 million years ago, But, as Dr. Harbach pointed out, mosquitos evolved around 200 million years ago.

While it is entertaining to contemplate, there were no genuinely giant mosquitoes back then or in the intervening years. The mosquito’s primary size and shape have hardly changed over the years since prehistoric times.

Did Mosquitoes Evolve from Flies?

No, mosquitos did not evolve from flies; technically, they are flies. Mosquitoes are members of almost 3,600 species of small flies that are part of the family Culicidae (from the Latin culex meaning “gnat”).

East End Tick Control® Eliminates Mosquitoes

If these age-old pests plague your Long Island home, contact us. We can eliminate them and ensure that they do not return. We are proud to note that all of our options are family and pet safe. 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 email us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Mosquitoes, Outdoor Pests

Why Were Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Released in the U.S.?

February 24, 2022 by Brian Kelly

genetically modified mosquitoWouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world with no mosquitoes? There would be no need to slather on bug repellent in the summer, and you could sleep with the windows open without being dive-bombed by droning mosquitoes all night. More importantly, mosquito-borne diseases could disappear, it could eradicate Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, malaria, and dengue fever. Livestock and pets would benefit from mosquito-borne disease eradication as well. To this end, several countries, including the United States, have deployed transgenic mosquitoes to reduce mosquito populations drastically.
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Filed Under: Mosquitoes, Outdoor Pests

Different Types of Mosquitoes in the United States

August 26, 2021 by Brian Kelly

types of mosquitosDuring the summer, you are likely to encounter mosquitoes while spending time outdoors. Mosquitoes are a nuisance and will invade your space and can transmit dangerous diseases. There are many different species of mosquitoes to be aware of when you travel. The team at East End Tick and Mosquito Control® has extensive knowledge of mosquitoes and is here to warn you about three different mosquitoes found across the United States.
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Filed Under: Bugs, Flying Pests, Outdoor Pests, Spring, Summer

Three Tips to Prevent an Indoor Tick Infestation

August 5, 2021 by Brian Kelly

A cartoon image of a tick inside of a home.When you hear about tick prevention, the main focus is usually on preventing ticks from biting you while you are outdoors. While this is important, not bringing ticks into your home is critical as well. Having an infestation in your home can be dangerous to your health if the ticks are carrying bacteria or infections such as Lyme disease. The tick extermination experts at East End Tick and Mosquito Control® are here to give you three tips to prevent an indoor tick infestation.
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Filed Under: Bugs, Crawling Pests, Indoor Pests, Outdoor Pests, Prevention, Summer, Tick Control, Tick Prevention Tips

Three Home Remedies for Treating Mosquito Bites

July 29, 2021 by Brian Kelly

A child scratching mosquito bites on their legs.While you are outside enjoying the warm summer sun with family and friends, you can expect to encounter a few mosquitoes now and then. Mosquitoes are not only irritating, but their bite can be itchy and uncomfortable. As Long Island’s foremost mosquito control experts, East End Tick and Mosquito Control® have in-depth knowledge about all things related to mosquitoes, including how to treat their bites. Here are three ways to treat mosquito bites on your own. Keep in mind however, these remedies are only for non-life-threatening mosquito bites that do not require medical attention. A person who is allergic should seek immediate medical care.
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Filed Under: Bugs, Flying Pests, Outdoor Pests, Summer

Three Hacks to Keep Mosquitoes Away On The 4th of July

June 24, 2021 by Brian Kelly

Dead cartoon mosquitoes on a white background.
The 4th of July is a holiday when family, friends, and loved ones spend time together in the warm summer sun. While you are having a lively conversation, grilling up some delicious food, and hanging out poolside, the last thing you should be worried about is mosquitoes. These pesky insects can turn your outdoor gathering into a disaster.
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Filed Under: Bugs, Flying Pests, Outdoor Pests, Prevention, Summer

Mosquitos and The Diseases They Carry

June 10, 2021 by Brian Kelly

A graphic of a mosquito and medical symbols.

When you and your family are outdoors this spring having picnics, going on walks, and having cookouts, the last thing you should be worried about is pesky mosquitos. Mosquitos are not only irritating and space invading, but they can also be a threat to your health if they are carrying disease(s). The experts at East End Tick and Mosquito Control® are here to share our in-depth knowledge about mosquitos, the diseases they can transmit, and how to protect yourself from getting bit.

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Filed Under: Flying Pests, Outdoor Pests, Spring, Summer

What To Do (And Not Do) When A Tick Lands On You

May 20, 2021 by Brian Kelly

Cartoon graphic of a tick being removed from someone's skin.As the weather warms up and more people start enjoying the outdoors, there is also a higher risk of encountering a tick. Finding a tick on your skin can naturally be shocking, but it is essential to remember the dos and don’ts to handle this situation correctly. As Long Island’s most trusted licensed tick control professionals since 1997, East End Tick Control® is here to share valuable information in the event that you do attract a tick.

What You Should Do

If you find a tick on you, your first reaction may be to panic, but do not! Instead, remove the tick carefully by grabbing it as close to your skin as possible with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers, explains CDC.gov. Then, slowly and steadily pull the tick out of your skin. After removing the tick from your skin, disinfect the bite site with rubbing alcohol and wash your hands with soap and water.

Identifying the tick is the next step to take. The main tick to be cautious of on the East End is the deer tick because it transmits Lyme disease. UpToDate.com describes the deer tick as brown ticks that are about the size of a poppy seed. If the tick that bit you has these characteristics, you should monitor your symptoms and decide if you need treatment.

The symptoms to look out for include fever, headache, muscle aches, and nausea, states WebMD.com. Also, we cannot forget the infamous bull’s-eye rash that can develop at the bite site. If you present these symptoms to your health care provider, they may prescribe you antibiotics if they suspect that you have Lyme disease.

What You Should Not Do

If you find a tick attached to your skin, do not delay removing it! This is because any of the bacteria that the tick carried takes around 36 hours to transmit into your body after it bites you, reports Health.Harvard.edu. Removing a tick as soon as possible can save you from contracting Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases.

It is understandable to be frightened when you discover a tick embedded in your skin, but do not move with too much haste. When you remove a tick, it is essential to not “squeeze, twist, or squash the tick,” reveals LymeDisease.org. Additionally, do not remove the tick with too much force. These actions can cause the tick to be torn apart, which can cause even more bacteria to spread on your skin.

East End Tick Control® Removes Ticks From Your Property

The tick extermination experts of East End Tick Control® believe that prevention is better than a cure, so we will remove any ticks that are on your property so you won’t have to remove them from your skin! Utilizing both traditional and organic products, we will eradicate your tick infestation and keep them from coming back with our granular tick control treatment. If ticks are becoming a danger to you and your loved ones, contact us today and we will do the rest. Southampton residents, please call (631) 287-9700. If you are closer to East Hampton, please call (631) 324-9700. And if you reside near Southold, please call (631) 765-9700.

Filed Under: Bugs, Crawling Pests, Outdoor Pests, Ticks / Tick Information

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