Lyme disease can't survive the winter

01

DO NOT assume a hard frost ends tick season.

02

Ixodes scapularis (the black-legged or deer tick) and many other species overwinter as nymphs or adults under leaf litter and snow. Adult black-legged ticks are actually most active in fall and warm winter days.

03

Lyme bacteria persist in the tick across the winter; transmission risk is reduced by ticks being inactive at low temperatures, not by them dying off.

04

Keep using repellent and tick checks during fall, winter thaws, and early spring whenever you are outdoors.

05

Inspect pets year-round and continue veterinarian-recommended tick preventives through the cold months.