When fall fades, and the weather grows cold, it seems like the perfect time to say goodbye to most insects.
While winter weather brings freezing temperatures to Northeastern Pennsylvania and forces bugs into hibernation, some stubborn winter pests like to stay.
One stubborn pest that can survive the winter and still pose a danger to residents and hikers is ticks.
While most ticks will certainly disappear and burrow underground, others in our area can still strike when you least expect–including in the middle of winter.
Learn more about how ticks survive winter and what precautions you can take to protect yourself against ticks.
Tick Lifecycle Overview
Ticks in NEPA are resilient pests that thrive in hot and wet weather but adapt their lifecycle to survive the cold winters. Understanding their lifecycle can explain why some ticks remain active and dangerous during the colder months.
Ticks progress through four distinct stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. This lifecycle typically spans 2-3 years and requires blood meals at each stage to advance. To protect each of these stages, ticks adapt to their environment to give them the best chance for survival against changing temperatures.
- Egg Stage: Female ticks lay thousands of eggs during spring in protected environments like leaf litter or under brush piles to shield them from predators. The eggs remain dormant during colder months, waiting until they become warmer in May and June to finally hatch.
- Larva Stage: Tick larvae (also called “seed ticks”) are tiny, six-legged parasites that emerge from eggs in warmer months. Before winter, larvae take their first blood meal—often from small rodents—and then find shelter to survive the cold. In NEPA, fallen leaves and snow provide critical insulation for larvae to avoid freezing.
- Nymph Stage: Nymphs are the most dangerous tick stage for humans because of their small size and high activity levels in spring and early summer. Before winter, nymphs take another blood meal to store energy. During winter, they burrow deep into leaf litter, mulch, or soil, using natural antifreeze proteins (cryoprotectants) to prevent their cells from freezing. Ironically, snow cover in NEPA actually serves as an insulating blanket to protect nymphs during the freezing weather.
- Adult Stage: Adult black-legged ticks are most active during fall and early winter, seeking a final blood meal before mating. While many adults go dormant in winter, they don’t die. Instead, they find shelter in leaf piles, firewood, or brush. On milder winter days (above freezing), adult ticks in NEPA can become active again, desperate for a host like deer, humans, or pets.
The Danger of Ticks in Northeast Pennsylvania
Ticks are particularly dangerous because they transmit diseases, such as Rocky Mountain fever or Lyme disease. Typically, they can be found anywhere in greenery, like tall grass or trees, waiting to latch onto a host.
The black-legged tick (also called the deer tick) is the most common tick species in NEPA. It is notorious for transmitting Lyme disease. These ticks are particularly adapted to survive harsh winters by finding shelter and slowing down their activity rather than dying off.
A new species of tick (the Lone Star Tick) has also been spotted in Pennsylvania and causes several adverse side effects, such as an allergy to red meat.
Do Ticks Die in Winter?
It’s no secret that ticks tend to thrive in the summer heat. They love moist and wet environments, so spring and fall are also perfect.
Unfortunately, most people mistakenly believe that ticks will die in the winter. However, this is only sometimes true. Ticks have trouble surviving during the winter, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. Ticks typically die in weather -2 degrees to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. However, that can be influenced by their environment, the type of tick, and how deep they burrow.
The American dog tick and Lone Star tick may vanish as the weather changes, but the black-legged tick will stay longer, especially if it has created a well-insulated environment. Sadly, it’s not the cold that kills them but the rapid temperature change that catches them off guard.
How Ticks Survive the Winter
According to studies, only about 20% of the tick population dies off during the winter. Depending on the type of winter, land conditions and adaptations give them ways to survive. Black-legged ticks tend to burrow deep into solid leaf litters and snow. If a space can provide some insulation, ticks can survive.
For survival, most ticks will burrow to escape the cold. They can also decrease the amount of water in their cells to stop them from freezing. Most ticks have actually developed a natural anti-freeze called “cryoprotectant” which allows them to escape the deep freeze.
How to Protect Your Home from Ticks in Every Season
Unfortunately, you and your pets aren’t safe from ticks all year round. These pests can easily find places to hide away from the frigid temps. Ticks tend to hide away in firewood, trees, or they can bury themselves in leaves.
Regardless of the weather outside, you should always do a tick check after being outdoors, no matter what. Also, when it comes to pets, it’s not a good idea to skip the flea and tick medicine in the cold months either.
If you do venture out in the cold this winter, here is what you can do to protect yourself from ticks:
- Wear light-colored clothes to spot ticks more easily. It’s much easier to spot a black-legged tick on a white shirt.
- Tuck pants into socks. Ticks most often climb on human hosts around their ankles and legs. By tucking your pants into your socks or boots, you can prevent them from reaching your skin.
- Always do a body check. When you come back inside, do a thorough check, especially the warmer parts of your body, like your armpits or the backs of your knees. Ticks will be seeking a warm place to feed.
- Wear tick repellant outside, preferably containing DEET.
- Contact your local exterminator about professional tick control for an active infestation or year-round protection.
In addition, we recommend conducting a tick and mosquito barrier yard spray that will help repel these pests in the warmer months so that they don’t overwinter on your property.
Ticks can be a problem no matter the time of year. Take proper precautions when heading outdoors and protect yourself. While winter may grant us a reprieve from most insects, it always pays to be prepared for the sneaky ones that stick around.
FAQs
At what temperature do ticks die?
Ticks typically start to die when exposed to prolonged temperatures between -2°F to 14°F. However, insulated environments like snow or leaves can protect them from freezing.
Are ticks still active in cold weather?
While many ticks slow down during extreme cold, black-legged ticks remain active on mild winter days (above freezing) as they search for a blood meal.
How can I protect myself from ticks in the winter?
To protect yourself, wear light-colored clothing, tuck pants into socks, use tick repellents containing DEET, and perform tick checks after spending time outdoors.
