For years, if you wanted to know whether a tick was carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, your only practical option was to mail it to a laboratory, pay around $50, and wait days for the results. That delay can be frustrating when every hour counts. A new product called LymeAlert aims to change that by allowing people to test a…
Connecticut Seeing Unusually High Tick Activity (2026) Scientists in Connecticut are reporting an early and unusually intense start to tick season, raising concerns for residents across the state. What’s happening Disease risk is higher Why this is happening More tick species are present What people should do Simple takeaway Tick season in Connecticut is starting earlier, with higher activity and…
Michigan has recorded a dramatic 168% increase in Lyme disease cases over the last five years — rising from 452 cases in 2020 to 1,215 in 2024. Anaplasmosis has surged nearly fivefold in the same timeframe. Meanwhile, Wisconsin just logged its highest-ever annual total of Lyme disease, with cases tripling over the past 15 years. Deer ticks, which now inhabit…
If you spend a lot of time outside like we do, the right repellent makes a difference. Poor choices can smell bad, hurt your eyes, bother your sinuses, irritate your skin or worse… not work at their one job, repelling ticks and bugs! We’ve done some research and picked our Top 10 choices based on: effectiveness, duration, safety and reviews….
Done improperly, tick removal can actually increase the risk of infection. Since ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and anaplasmosis, it’s important to do it right! If you or a loved one spend time outdoors hiking, gardening, or walking pets, it’s smart to know exactly how to remove a tick quickly and safely. Here’s…
Recent ecological studies have found a compelling link between acorn production and the prevalence of ticks, particularly those carrying Lyme disease. Understanding this connection is important to anticipate and mitigate tick-borne health risks. The Ecological Chain Reaction This sequence results in a two-year lag between a mast year and a peak in tick-borne disease risk. For instance, a significant acorn…
Ticks are more than just a pain in the neck to deal with —they’re vectors for serious illnesses like Lyme disease and Powassan virus. With tick populations on the rise in many regions, including Connecticut, it’s essential to take proactive measures to safeguard your yard. Here are six expert-backed strategies to help you reduce ticks in your outdoor spaces: CT…
Spending time outdoors should feel relaxing, not like you’re walking into a tick minefield. If you’re tired of worrying about tick bites while gardening, playing with your kids, or letting your pets roam, the good news is that with the right yard treatments and simple strategies, you can tickproof your backyard with organic products. Here’s the step-by-step method we use to keep our yards…
Whether you’re hiking a wooded trail, playing with your dog in the yard, or simply spending time outdoors, protecting yourself from ticks should be incorporated into your routine. These tiny pests can carry diseases, attach easily to skin or clothing, and even hitch a ride into your home on pets. To help you stay safe and informed, we’ve answered 16…
Ticks are more than just a nuisance—they’re carriers of serious diseases like Lyme disease, which is particularly prevalent in areas like Connecticut, where I live. With the arrival of warmer months, it’s crucial to understand tick prevention strategies for both humans and pets. Below, we address common questions about tick prevention, offering evidence-based answers to help you stay protected. 🐾…
Each time I go out for a stroll around my yard, I quickly spray my boots with Sawyer Permethrin Spray – the peace of mind and repellant factor is reassuring. I have dedicated high boots that live in my garage just for the yard (they are made by Nat’s). With this spray, I feel I can walk around the yard…
Sad, but true… Deer may have at least 10 to 50 female ticks attaching and dropping off each day through the fall and spring when adult ticks are active. Each female tick lays around 2,000 eggs before dying.* That is a huge number of ticks! While other animals like raccoons, skunks, and foxes carry ticks too, deer are the clear tick MVPs, responsible for…
If you live anywhere in the Northeast — or most of the U.S., really — you’ve probably noticed that ticks are more than just a nuisance. They’re a genuine health hazard. We live on over 4 acres in Connecticut, and ticks are an annual problem we take seriously. Between stone walls, old sheds, a gazebo, and a small pond next…
Whether you’re hiking in the woods, hanging out in the backyard, or simply walking your dog, ticks are a real concern. These tiny pests can carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other serious illnesses. Thankfully, there are a ton of great products out there to help keep you (and your pets) safe.
Learn how to stay protected from ticks with these debunked tick myths! Don’t believe the misconception that ticks fall out of trees or that all ticks carry diseases. Discover the truth about ticks and how to protect yourself with effective tick prevention methods, such as using permethrin-treated clothing and doing a tick check when you come home.
Have you been bitten by a tick? There are three key steps to take when you’ve had a tick bite. First, remove the tick. Tick attachment time is important. Removing ticks as soon as possible reduces the risk of infection. Second, learn how to recognize the rash that follows the bite. It is important to understand that a rash is…
When squirrels began climbing our large cedar tree and stripping away big sections of bark, I knew I had to intervene. Not only was the tree at risk of permanent damage, but I was also concerned about the indirect consequences: more squirrels often mean more ticks in the yard, which poses health risks for both people and pets. After some…
The tick menace is even worse than we thought. A pair of new studies this month suggests that there are more tick species out there in the U.S. that can cause an unusual form of allergy to red meat. Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials published the research late last week in the…
My research has led me to check out Wondercide. An all-natural cedar spray that appears to work well for reducing the flea and tick population. Hundreds of 5 star reviews are on Amazon. It was featured on Shark Tank (they got a deal). This spring and summer we’ll be testing it out, so look for our ongoing updates. Pricing is…
When most people think of ticks, they immediately think of Lyme disease—and with good reason. But Lyme is just the tip of the iceberg. Ticks can transmit a wide range of illnesses, some mild, others potentially life-threatening. As tick populations grow and spread across more of the U.S., it’s more important than ever to understand the risks they pose to…
This short but essential video delivers an important message about deer ticks and simple steps you can take to protect yourself. It highlights just how incredibly tiny these ticks are—often no bigger than a poppy seed—making them easy to miss during outdoor activities. It also introduces Permethrin, a powerful tick repellent used to treat clothing and gear, as one of…
As the weather warms up and more people head outside to hike, garden, or just enjoy the sun, concerns about ticks rise too. These tiny creatures can pose big health risks, including Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Fortunately, prevention is very doable—if you know what to look for and how to protect yourself. Here are the top 10 questions people…