Don't Let Ticks Spoil Your Summer Fun: Your Hudson Valley Guide to Tick Prevention
Got Ticks?
What should you do?
Did You Know?
Certain wasp species, like the paper wasp, possess the remarkable ability to remember human faces. They're also highly aggressive when provoked and can communicate danger to the rest of their nest using pheromones. If you spot a wasp or hornet nest on your property, it's always best to contact a professional like Hollenbeck Pest Control for safe removal. Attempting it yourself can lead to multiple painful stings and provoke the entire colony.
Staying Pest-Free as Summer Heats Up
As July brings peak summer heat and outdoor activities to the Hudson Valley, you might find your home attracting more than just sunshine. From chirping crickets to Lyme disease-carrying ticks and active stinging insects like wasps, protecting your property is key to enjoying the season. Hollenbeck Pest Control is here with expert tips and services to keep your home safe and comfortable in towns like Kingston, Poughkeepsie, and Newburgh.
July's Heat & Pest Activity in Hudson Valley: What to Watch For
The hot, humid days of July energize many pests, making them more active as they forage for food and water or protect growing nests. This is especially true for stinging insects, which are often busy defending their colonies. Be extra cautious around flowering plants, open trash bins, and sugary drinks outdoors, as these are common attractants.
Don't Let Ticks Spoil Your Summer Fun: Your Hudson Valley Guide to Tick Prevention
Summer is in full swing! The sun is shining, the pools are open, and outdoor adventures are calling across the Hudson Valley. While we embrace the warmth and longer days, it's crucial to remember that ticks are still highly active and a significant concern throughout July. At Hollenbeck Pest Control, we understand the importance of enjoying your properties safely in towns like Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Fishkill, and we're here to provide expert advice and solutions to keep your summer days tick-free.
Understanding the Mid-Summer Tick Threat in Lower NY State
July in lower New York State brings consistently warm temperatures and often humid conditions – prime weather for ticks to continue their activity. Historically, the average high temperature in July ranges from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, with average lows in the 60s. While some might think tick season wanes, it's actually a period of high activity for nymph and adult stage ticks, especially the dangerous Blacklegged Tick. Whether you own a bustling business in Middletown, a family home in New Paltz, or a scenic property in Stanfordville, the risk of encountering ticks remains significant.
Ticks are more than just an irritating bite; they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Protecting yourself, your family, your pets, and your customers is a top priority, especially when spending more time outdoors during summer breaks and vacations.
4 ways to Protect Yourself and Others from Tick Bites During Summer Activities
Personal protection is paramount when spending time outdoors, especially in areas known for ticks, such as near the Taconic State Parkway or in the more rural parts of Ulster County.
Wear Protective Clothing: When hiking, gardening, or engaging in outdoor sports in tick-prone areas, wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing (which makes it easier to spot ticks).
Use Repellents Wisely: Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the product label. Always follow instructions, especially when applying to children.
Conduct Thorough Tick Checks: After any time spent outdoors, especially in grassy or wooded areas, thoroughly inspect yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Pay close attention to areas like hairlines, behind ears, underarms, in the belly button, around the waist, and in groin areas.
Shower Immediately After Outdoors: Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off any unattached ticks before they have a chance to bite.
4 Simple Steps to Reduce Tick Populations Around Your Property
While professional tick control services are the most effective way to manage tick populations, there are several steps you can take to make your property less inviting to these pests during the summer months:
Maintain Landscaping
Trim back overgrown vegetation!
Maintain Your Landscaping: Continue to keep your lawn mowed regularly. Trim back overgrown vegetation, especially around the edges of your property, fences, and near wooded areas where ticks love to hide. Clear away leaf litter, brush, and debris, as these provide ideal hiding places from the summer sun.
Create a Barrier: Consider creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas to help deter ticks from migrating into your yard.
Remove Yard Clutter: Old furniture, tires, or other discarded items can become havens for rodents that carry ticks. Keeping your yard tidy reduces these hiding spots.
Be Mindful of Wood Piles: If you have firewood stored for future use, keep it away from your home and off the ground to discourage rodents and ticks.
Is Professional Tick Control Right for Your Summer?
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
While the tips above can help reduce tick populations, a professional pest control service is often the most effective way to ensure comprehensive tick management, especially for larger properties, businesses with outdoor spaces, or homes in high-risk areas like Spring Valley or New City.
Hollenbeck Pest Control offers effective tick control services that can significantly reduce the number of ticks on your property. Our experienced technicians can assess your specific needs and implement targeted treatments to create a safer environment for your family, employees, or customers throughout the summer. Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ, a pool party, or just want peace of mind, we have solutions to fit your needs, including regular service plans for ongoing protection.
Don't let the threat of ticks put a damper on your summer fun in the Hudson Valley. Take proactive steps to protect your property and your health.
High Alert: Tick Season Remains a Threat
Tick activity remains high through the summer months, and this year, the risk of tick-borne diseases is particularly elevated. As you spend more time enjoying your yard in places like Hyde Park or Monroe, remember that ticks can pose a serious Lyme disease threat to your family and pets.
Hollenbeck Pest Control offers specialized lawn spray services to help control ticks in your yard, creating a safer environment for everyone. Ready to take control of the ticks on your property this summer? Contact Hollenbeck Pest Control today for a professional tick inspection and to learn more about our effective tick control services. Give us a call or fill out our contact form – we're here to help you enjoy a pest-free summer!
Pest of the Month
The Chirping Cricket
You've probably heard them, especially on a warm summer night! Crickets don't cause structural damage to your home, but their loud, incessant chirping can certainly be a nuisance, particularly when they sneak indoors. During hot, dry spells, crickets often seek refuge inside, looking for cool, damp spots like basements or crawl spaces in homes across areas like New City and Middletown. While they're generally harmless, their presence can be quite annoying.
Looking Forward
Safeguard Your Property with Our New Deer Repellent Service
Tired of deer feasting on your prized plants and flowers? We're excited to introduce our new Deer Repellent service! This effective, environmentally friendly solution helps keep deer away from your landscaping, protecting your beautiful plants and gardens without harming deer, humans, or pets. It's an easy way to safeguard your outdoor space in towns like Goshen and Pleasant Valley.
Plan Ahead: Overwintering Treatment Sign-Ups
While we're in the thick of summer, it's never too early to think about preparing your home for cooler weather. Sign up for an Overwintering Treatment this year! This exterior barrier treatment, available late August through early November, helps keep common nuisance pests like ladybugs, stink bugs, and cluster flies from finding their way into your home when temperatures drop.
Partner with Hollenbeck Pest Control for a Pest-Free Summer
Contact Hollenbeck Pest Control Today!
Don't let summer pests interrupt your enjoyment of your Hudson Valley home. From dealing with loud crickets and aggressive stinging insects to protecting your family from ticks and your garden from deer, Hollenbeck Pest Control offers comprehensive solutions. Whether it's a specific pest issue or proactive protection, we're here to help.
Contact Hollenbeck Pest Control today to schedule a service, learn more about our ongoing pest control plans, or get expert advice on any pest concern. You can also fill out our convenient online contact form!
Serving Homeowners Across the Hudson Valley, Including:
You can find our services in areas such as Monroe, Nyack, Newburgh, Chester, Valley Cottage, and Washingtonville. We also serve residents in New City, Pleasant Valley, Warwick, Nanuet, Woodbury, New Paltz, and Kiryas Joel. Our coverage extends to Vails Gate, Orange Lake, Congers, Lake Carmel, Scotchtown, West Point, Rock Tavern, Wesley Hills, Walden, Blauvelt, Goshen, Kaser, and Firthcliffe.
Summer Tick Control FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
General Summer Pest Control Questions
Q: Why are pests more active in the Hudson Valley during July's heat?
A: The hot, humid days of July energize many pests, making them more active as they forage for food and water or protect growing nests. This is especially true for stinging insects, which are often busy defending their colonies.
Q: What are common attractants for pests during summer?
A: Be extra cautious around flowering plants, open trash bins, and sugary drinks outdoors, as these are common attractants for various pests.
Q: What should I do if I spot a wasp or hornet nest on my property?
A: If you spot a wasp or hornet nest on your property, it's always best to contact a professional like Hollenbeck Pest Control for safe removal. Attempting it yourself can lead to multiple painful stings and provoke the entire colony.
Tick Prevention: Understanding the Threat
Q: Why are ticks a significant concern in the Hudson Valley during July?
A: July in lower New York State brings consistently warm temperatures and often humid conditions – prime weather for ticks to continue their activity. It's a period of high activity for nymph and adult stage ticks, especially the dangerous Blacklegged Tick.
Q: What diseases can ticks transmit?
A: Ticks are more than just an irritating bite; they can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis.
Q: Does tick season wane in mid-summer?
A: While some might think tick season wanes, it's actually a period of high activity for nymph and adult stage ticks, especially the dangerous Blacklegged Tick, throughout July in lower New York State.
Tick Prevention: Personal Strategies
Q: What kind of clothing should I wear to protect against tick bites?
A: When in tick-prone areas, wear long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing, which makes it easier to spot ticks.
Q: What kind of repellents should I use for tick prevention?
A: Apply insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the product label, always following instructions, especially for children.
Q: Where should I check for ticks after being outdoors?
A: Thoroughly inspect yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks. Pay close attention to areas like hairlines, behind ears, underarms, in the belly button, around the waist, and in groin areas.
Q: How soon after being outdoors should I shower to prevent tick bites?
A: Showering within two hours of being outdoors can help wash off any unattached ticks before they have a chance to bite.
Tick Prevention: Property Management Strategies
Q: How does landscaping affect tick populations on my property?
A: Maintaining your landscaping by regularly mowing your lawn and trimming back overgrown vegetation, especially around the edges of your property, fences, and near wooded areas, helps reduce tick hiding spots. Clearing leaf litter, brush, and debris also removes ideal hiding places.
Q: Can creating a barrier help deter ticks?
A: Yes, consider creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas to help deter ticks from migrating into your yard.
Q: How does yard clutter affect tick populations?
A: Old furniture, tires, or other discarded items can become havens for rodents that carry ticks. Keeping your yard tidy reduces these hiding spots.
Q: Where should I store wood piles to minimize ticks?
A: If you have firewood stored for future use, keep it away from your home and off the ground to discourage rodents and ticks.
Hollenbeck Pest Control: Tick Services
Q: Is professional tick control necessary, or are personal and property management tips enough?
A: While personal and property management tips can help reduce tick populations, a professional pest control service is often the most effective way to ensure comprehensive tick management, especially for larger properties, businesses with outdoor spaces, or homes in high-risk areas.
Q: How can Hollenbeck Pest Control help with tick management?
A: Hollenbeck Pest Control offers effective tick control services that can significantly reduce the number of ticks on your property. Our experienced technicians can assess your specific needs and implement targeted treatments to create a safer environment for your family, employees, or customers throughout the summer. We also offer regular service plans for ongoing protection.
Q: How can I contact Hollenbeck Pest Control for tick services?
A: Contact Hollenbeck Pest Control today for a professional tick inspection and to learn more about our effective tick control services. You can give us a call or fill out our contact form online.