Think ticks disappear when the cold sets in? Think again, said Dina Fonseca, a Rutgers University-New Brunswick expert on tick biology.
"Ticks don't take a winter vacation, and as long as temperatures stay above freezing, they remain active and looking for blood," she said.
Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows the average temperature in December 2023 was 45 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly higher than the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Adult blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are active in late fall and winter," said Fonseca, a professor and chair of the Department of Entomology at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. "They don't hibernate like many insects and other tick species, which hide dormant deep in the soil or enter resistant stages like eggs. Instead, female blacklegged ticks are out looking for a blood meal, which they need to produce thousands of eggs."
Ticks are more than just a nuisance - they can transmit a range of disease agents, from Lyme bacteria to a malaria-like protozoa and even deer-tick virus.
Once a tick becomes infected, it stays that way through all its life stages, potentially passing pathogens to each host it feeds on, said Fonseca.
"We know adult blacklegged ticks are likely to be infected", she added, emphasizing the importance of awareness.
"Most people don't realize that ticks are active year-round, not just in spring or summer. We want to change that mindset," she said. "Bottom line: Tick season is every season and taking precautions is your best defense."
For winter outdoor activities, Fonseca shared these simple precautions:
- Teach before you trek: Make sure everyone in your group knows where ticks are (hint: leaf litter), what they want (blood) and how to avoid them. If you need help starting the conversation, NJTicks4Science! provides key information.
- Suit up: Wear long sleeves, long pants and tuck your pants into your socks. It's a look, but it works! Lighter colors also make ticks easier to spot.
- Stay on the trail: Stick to clear paths to reduce your chances of encountering ticks. Avoid areas with dense leaves.
- Use a tick repellent: Apply an Environmental Protection Agency-approved tick repellent for an extra layer of protection.
- Check yourself (and others): After being outdoors, check yourself, your friends and your pets for ticks. Pay attention to hidden spots such as behind your knees, along your hairline and around your waistband.
- If you're bitten by a tick: Remove the tick as soon as possible. If the tick is a blacklegged tick and is visibly engorged with blood, according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your physician should prescribe a post-exposure prophylactic dose of doxycycline. Studies have shown that doxycycline does not turn children's teeth yellow.
- See a tick? Send a tick!: If you find a tick, consider sending it to NJTicks4Science! This citizen-led science project asks New Jerseyans to submit tick specimens to help track populations and tick-borne disease agents. Submitters will get their ticks tested for free.
- Protect your pets: Consult your veterinarian for tick preventatives. Domestic cats shouldn't be allowed outdoors unattended.
