Ticks on the Rise
This year there has been an unusually high tick population. The CT Agricultural Experiment Station has found this is due to the mild winter and early warm spring we had. The ticks started hatching earlier than normal and their breeding cycle has been sped up. There is a group out of WCSU that monitors deer tick populations on a weekly basis in Danbury, Ridgefield, and Newtown. They have found a 300% increase from last year to this year.
About our Spray
Our spray program is what Alan Potter of Newtown Arbor Services developed and used. We use the exact same equipment and product. Furthermore, nothing in the process has changed from past years to this year. The spray is a contact spray which means it must reach the live ticks while wet to eliminate them. Once the product is dry it has done its job. Rain later in the day will not prohibit the effectiveness of the product. The spray is not a repellent and only works on the live ticks you have on your property at the time we spray. There are many forms of wildlife such as deer, mice, and other rodents, that can carry ticks onto your property as well.
Finding Ticks?
This is the worst year on record for ticks so unfortunately it's not surprising if you have found any. While in past years our program of two sprays a year has been effective, with the drastic increase in tick population this year, two sprays may not be sufficient enough for some properties. If this pertains to you, here are some options.
Summer Spray : We offer an optional summer spray that you might want to consider adding on this year. Summer sprays are the same as the spring & fall spray.
- Create a Tick Safe Zone
- Keep grass mowed and maintained on a regular basis
- Remove leaf litter, brush, and weeds at the edge of lawn
- Move firewood piles and bird feeds away from the house
- Create a 3ft barrier of woodchips or rocks to separate the tick zone from your lawn
- Plant deer resistant plants at the edge of your property
Articles
Here are some recent articles on the increase of ticks in our area.
WCSU Researchers see sharp increase in Deer Ticks
WCSU: This year worst on record for ticks
Newtown Tick Control
If you would like to add on a summer spray for this year only, give us a call 203-426-9324 or email info@newtowntick.com