Ticks are a problem, but also a fact of life when living in Suffolk County. There are several tick varieties – including the American Dog Tick, the Lone Star Tick, and the Blacklegged Tick – that each present their own unique threats as they are associated with spreading different diseases. And unfortunately, there are precious few days over the course of the year where they are not a concern… as they remain active in temperatures above 40 degrees.

That said, there are other environmental factors that help to determine how active ticks are at any given point. Temperature does play a role, as well as humidity. So, do ticks prefer lower or higher levels of humidity?

Are Ticks Worse In Wet Or Dry Weather?

As stated above, ticks remain active in temperatures above 40 degrees. So, when it comes to Long Island, you are looking at maybe mid-December to mid-February being a potential reprieve from ticks – with maybe parts of November as well.

That said, January of 2023 was one of the warmest Januarys on record… and this past January had many days that were well above 40 degrees. At the time of this writing, the weather forecast calls for several days in the high 40s in February. It turns out, however, that low temperatures can keep most ticks inactive but will not kill them. It’s the summer weather that is more indicative of how bad ticks will get.

Ticks do poorly in low humidity environments. The northeast tends to have higher humidity weather than in many states across the south and southeast. That’s part of why ticks are a more serious problem in our region. The low humidity will very literally dry out ticks, causing them to die in a way that doesn’t occur in higher humidity weather or even in the winter months.

What Temperatures Do Ticks Love?

While we have been stating that ticks can function above 40 degrees, they still may not be able to move. They require the ground temperature to be at least 45 degrees in order to crawl.

Crawling is the only way a tick can move. Contrary to myths about ticks, they are incapable of jumping. Ticks will also crawl several feet toward a host even in colder weather. It is all the more reason why you and your family need quality, reliable tick control for your property.

East End Tick And Mosquito Control® Helps Protect Your Family From Ticks Regardless Of The Weather.

Ticks on Long Island are more than just a nuisance. They can be harmful to you, your family, and even your pets as they spread debilitating diseases – including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

The only way to avoid contact with ticks on your property is with quality, reliable tick control. If you reside on eastern Long Island, you need trusted tick 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 contact us online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.