What You Should Know About Mosquito- and Tick- Borne Diseases

With the winter months now fully behind us, we New Englanders are making plans for summer: Outdoor parties, yard work, hikes and nature walks. We’ll take any time spent outside after a winter of ice and snow, and often an early spring that simply keeps us guessing.

Amidst all that fresh air and excitement, it can be easy to forget that sometimes nature doesn’t have our best interests in mind. Our region has its own particular set of natural threats, not the least of which are Massachusetts mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes and ticks are more than simple pests; they are disease carriers that pose a serious risk to people and pets. Understanding these risks as well as proper precautions is essential to protecting yourself and loved ones.

Deer ticks and dog ticks are the most common in Massachusetts and may carry Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis, among others. The majority of tick-borne disease cases occur in summer, but it is important to remember that ticks can be active year-round any time temperatures are above freezing. While tick activity is weather dependent, the two peaks during the year occur in early spring through summer and again late fall. 

Over 50 different kinds of mosquito have been found in Massachusetts alone. West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) are two of the common diseases that spread via mosquito bites in Massachusetts, but traveling to other regions of the world can expose you to Zika virus and Dengue fever, among other diseases.

So what can be done to protect ourselves?

• Cover your skin—long sleeved shirts, pants, long socks
• Remove leaf litter and tall grass or brush
• Always check everyone for ticks after being outdoors
• Protect your pets from ticks—consult your veterinarian about the best methods or products
• We always defer to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for guidelines on insect repellents, which you may find here.

Finally, contact us at Burgess Pest Management to schedule your free estimate for Massachusetts mosquito and tick control at your home! Our knowledgeable technicians will provide a treatment plan personalized to your property.

Learn more about our mosquito and tick treatment programs and our Pad Protection Plans that cover anything from ants to mosquitoes and ticks. Click the tab below for even more information and to submit an inquiry.