Fall Ticks Are Still Out

dog in the fall grass is at risk for ticks

Some ticks are just getting started
Ticks are not just a summer problem. While some types of ticks may slow down when it gets colder, others are just getting started. A lot of the risk depends on the species of ticks you are dealing with, and your region of the country. Simply put, ticks should be considered as a year-round health threat, with autumn being a major tick season.

Which ticks are most active during fall and what do they carry?
The blacklegged (deer) tick is very active during the fall. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, adult blacklegged ticks may be seeking a meal at just this time of year.

Although people are most familiar with Lyme Disease, other tick transmitted diseases are becoming more common during this season. You should ask your veterinarian about the risk of:

Where are the ticks hiding during fall?
Ticks are actually very clever. They expend little energy hunting. Ticks “quest” by waiting in the brush for a meal to walk by. Once that happens, they quickly move onto the host.

During the fall, ticks often hide in the leaf litter present in the wooded or brushy areas they tend to populate; therefore, leaf piles and leaf mulch should not be allowed to accumulate. Some ticks hatch their eggs in fall and seek a host. Female ticks often lay eggs in dry brush and leaf mulch, and can deposit up to 3000 eggs in a breeding cycle.

How can you protect your dog from ticks in the fall?


Reviewed on: 
Friday, November 18, 2016

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