Tick season over in NJ?

[granthansen]

I've read online about dropping temps and what it means for ticks and hibernation, but I'd like to hear what some experienced wood hunters have to say... there are virgin woods near my house that I'd like to hit, but in the summer it's infested with ticks. Waiting for the cold! Comments appreciated. Thanks.

 

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[nickmarch]

Ticks don't hibernate. They can be active even in the winter (on a warm winter day) Get some good bug spray.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

As nickmarch says. I've had 2 ticks embedded in me the last 2 days with temperature in the low 30's. I've had ticks crawling on me in January when it was in the low 40's. Ticks don't bother me. I'm too active out doors for them to keep me holed up indoors.

 

[granthansen]

Cool, thanks. You've pretty much confirmed my suspicions. I've got 40% deet, layers of clothes, etc. Now to go dig up hundreds of beer cans and hope I find something good in the process :-)

 

[spartacus53]

I live in NJ and never had a tick problem.. The again, they leave me alone out of pure respect

 

[granthansen]

I live in NJ and never had a tick problem.. The again, they leave me alone out of pure respect

LOL. In early summer I walked my dogs NEAR the woods, not in them, and I looked down and had a tick on my leg. One brazen ******* if you ask me!

 

[Grizzly13]

As a hunter and farm boy from NJ, dont think ticks are in for the winter, their not. I have dogs and they seem to find ticks year around even in the winter. Ofcourse if you have a tick issue and or just dont like the tought of them on you , your best bet is cold weather it definatly helps but u should still pay attention to them. Hang your clothes up otuside when you get back . A day or two of hanging outside they will leave because body heat is what they react to. Take a shower and closely inspect yourself and you should have no problems.

 

[Native Floridian]

It's not the ticks you see that are the problem. it's the ones you don't! NJ is infested with Deer Ticks. The pin head sized adults are hard enough to spot, the nyphs almost impossible!

Ticks never take a day off. Depending on the level of infestation they could be less active in cooler temps, but any day above freezing and they are looking for a meal. Once we get a hard freeze, the activity should slow way down.

That said, it's best to protect yourself. In winter not a tough call, long sleeved shirt, long leg pants tucked into socks. Lighter colors are better than darker so you can see the little suckers. Carry a magnifying glass and tick pulling tweezers. Permethrin is the only deterent. You can soak your clothes in it and wear it after it drys. Some people carry lint rollers if hunting or hiking in overly infested areas. Getting tick counts into the hundreds isn't uncommon. A partner to lint roller the ticks off you is a bonus. Finally, when you get home, take your clothes and give them a 20 minute ride in the dryer. That will kill any unseen hitch hikers.