Adirondack Tick Calendar: When Risk Spikes & Yard Tips That Work

Ticks aren’t just a summer problem in the Glens Falls and Adirondack region. Over the years, I’ve seen families get caught off guard in early spring and again in late fall when adult ticks are most active. That’s why I use what I call the Adirondack Tick Calendar—a simple way to remember when risk is highest and how to protect your family, pets, and yard.

Understanding Tick Season in Upstate New York

Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but in the Northeast there are three main peaks:

• Early spring (March–May): Adult blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) wake up and start questing for hosts. This is when many homeowners in Warren and Saratoga counties first notice them on dogs or clothing.
• Late spring into mid-summer (May–July): Nymphs, about the size of a poppy seed, are at their peak. They’re tiny, hard to see, and responsible for most human tick-borne infections.
• Late summer into fall (August–November): Adults surge again. Raking leaves, hunting, and fall yard work all bring people into prime tick habitat.

Even in December and January, I remind customers that if we get a mild spell above 35°F, ticks can still be active in leaf litter or at the edge of wooded areas.

Why This Matters for Glens Falls Families

Living in the Adirondack foothills, we’re surrounded by ideal tick habitat—woodlots, brushy property edges, stone walls, and tall grasses. Warren County Public Health even launched a local tick reporting site because activity here is significant year-round. When I plan treatments, I always look at what part of the tick calendar we’re in so we aren’t over- or under-treating.

How I Protect My Own Family (and What I Recommend to Customers)

Personal Protection

• Clothing: I use permethrin-treated clothing (per EPA guidelines) for yard work and hiking. For skin, I rotate EPA-registered repellents like DEET or picaridin.
• Tick checks: I check behind knees, waistbands, armpits, and hairline after outdoor work.
• Pets: Talk to your vet about tick preventives—pets bring ticks inside all the time.

Yard Prevention

• Clear leaf litter and brush where your lawn meets wooded areas.
• Prune shrubs and mow edges to create a sunny barrier.
• Mulch borders between woods and play areas.
• Move playsets into sunny, open areas when possible.
• Stack firewood off the ground and away from the house.
• Discourage deer by using fencing or planting deer-resistant landscaping.

These are simple changes, but together they cut down the risk dramatically.

My Professional Tick Reduction Services

For homeowners who want extra peace of mind, I offer a seasonal tick and mosquito reduction program. I target the shaded edges and transition zones where ticks thrive, and I time treatments around the tick calendar to maximize effectiveness.

This isn’t about blanketing your yard—it’s about strategic treatments combined with the prevention steps above. The result is a safer yard where your family can relax, entertain, and play.

When to Call Me

If you’re noticing ticks on your pets, kids, or clothing—especially during spring yard cleanups or fall leaf season—give me a call at 518-807-4324. I’ll do an inspection, explain what’s happening on your property, and outline a tick reduction plan that works for our Glens Falls, Queensbury, Saratoga, and Adirondack communities.

✅ Next Step for You: Schedule a free inspection before tick season peaks. Call or text 518-807-4324 today.