Maria Richmond
Owner / Ransford Historian
When the weather warms up in New England, most of us are thinking about backyard barbecues, hiking trails, and finally getting outside again. Unfortunately, ticks and mosquitoes are thinking the same thing. These pests are more than just a nuisance — they carry real health risks, from Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome to West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
The good news? Understanding how these pests behave and where they live gives you a serious advantage. And if there's one thing we've learned in our over 130 years of pest control experience, it's that early treatment consistently delivers the best results.
Here's what every homeowner in Central Massachusetts should know about ticks and mosquitoes — and what you can do to protect your family this season.
1. Why Ticks and Mosquitoes Are Unlike Other Pests
Many pests we deal with — ants, termites, wasps — have a colony or nest we can target. Ticks and mosquitoes are different. There's no colony to eliminate, which means treatment focuses on reducing their population in the areas where you and your family spend time.
That's why a targeted, strategic approach matters so much. Blanket spraying your entire yard isn't the answer. Instead, effective treatment means understanding exactly where these pests rest, breed, and wait for their next meal — and treating those specific zones.
2. Know The Big Ones: American Dog Ticks vs. Deer Ticks
Not all ticks are created equal, and knowing the difference can affect how you respond to a bite. Deer ticks and Dog ticks are the most common ticks in Massachusetts.
Dog Tick
Larger with brown legs and white mottling. Adult males and females have different mottled patterns
Deer Tick
Smaller with black legs. They have shields on their back, and females have this reddish body Primary Lyme disease carrier.
Dog ticks (aka American dog ticks) are the larger of the two and have distinctive brown legs with white mottled markings on their backs. They're the ones you might find crawling on you after a walk through tall grass. Their name is often just shortened to "dog ticks" but they are distinct from brown dog ticks (aka kennel ticks) as American dog ticks cannot survive indoors long-term. American dog ticks can transmit bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
Deer ticks (aka blacklegged ticks) are often smaller and have black legs. These are the primary carriers of Lyme disease in our region, making them the bigger health concern. Nymphs can be as small as poppy seeds and extremely hard to spot. They cannot survive inside long term. Deer ticks can transmit bacteria and parasites that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
American dog ticks are most active in spring and early summer, where as deer ticks the time of year depends on life stage, with adult activity peeking in fall. Preventive seasonal treatment makes the biggest difference - we offer spring granule treatment and fall liquid treatments for comprehensive coverage.
As ticks feed, they become harder to identify as they expand. We recommend saving ticks by taping them to a card, or putting them in a ziplock, and monitoring for rash or other symptoms that could indicate an issue. Saving the tick allows for the tick to be tested.
3. Mosquito Behavior: Small Pest, Big Impact
Mosquitoes are incredibly efficient breeders, and they don't need much water to get started. A bottle cap's worth of standing water is enough for mosquitoes to lay eggs. To put that in perspective, researchers once counted 6,346 immature mosquitoes in a single 10-inch frying pan left outside with a bit of rainwater.
Even more surprising: mosquito eggs can survive for up to a year without water, just waiting for the next rain to hatch. That forgotten tire in the corner of your yard, the saucer under a flower pot, or a clogged gutter — these are all prime mosquito nurseries.
During the day, adult mosquitoes rest in cool, moist, shaded areas — under tree canopies, in dense foliage, and along fence lines. These are the zones that professional treatment targets most effectively.
4. Why Early Treatment Gets the Best Results
This is probably the most important takeaway: the earlier you start treatment in the season, the more effective it will be.
For ticks, spring is the critical window. Granular treatments applied to mulch beds and woodlines in the spring target ticks right when they're becoming active. Waiting until mid-summer means the population has already established itself across your property.
For mosquitoes, professional misting treatments applied to trees, foliage, and shaded resting areas create a barrier that significantly reduces the population. Modern micro-encapsulated treatments can remain effective for about a month, and rotating different materials throughout the season helps prevent resistance.
There's also a seasonal pattern many people don't know about: September and October can actually see an uptick in mosquito-borne disease transmission. As birds begin their fall migration south, mosquitoes that were previously feeding on birds shift to feeding on humans instead. So don't let your guard down just because summer is winding down.
5. What You Can Do at Home
Professional treatment is the most effective approach, but there's plenty you can do on your own to reduce tick and mosquito activity around your home:
Eliminate standing water. Walk your property and dump out anything holding water — old tires, plant saucers, buckets, toys, tarps, and birdbaths. Do this weekly, since mosquito larvae can mature in as little as a week.
Use floor fans on your patio or deck. This one surprises people, but it works. Mosquitoes are weak fliers, and a simple box fan or oscillating fan creates enough airflow to keep them away from your outdoor seating areas.
Keep your lawn trimmed and clear brush. Ticks thrive in tall grass and leaf litter. Keeping a tidy border between your lawn and any wooded areas reduces tick habitat significantly.
Skip the bug zappers. Despite their popularity, bug zappers primarily attract and kill beneficial insects like moths and beetles. Mosquitoes aren't particularly drawn to the UV light. Your money is better spent elsewhere.
Don't rely on citronella candles, tiki torches, or "mosquito-repelling" plants. While these are widely marketed, there's no strong scientific evidence that they meaningfully reduce mosquito activity in your yard. They might make your patio smell nice, but they won't keep mosquitoes away.
6. A Note on Properties Near Water
If your property is near a pond, stream, or other body of water, treatment options may change to ensure that the materials don't risk harm to local aquatic life or water supplies. This is something a professional pest control provider should always assess before beginning any treatment program and is something you should bring up if you contact a professional.
7. Protect Your Family This Season
Ticks and mosquitoes aren't going anywhere, but that doesn't mean you have to spend the summer worrying about them. A combination of smart habits at home and professional treatment can dramatically reduce your exposure to these pests — and the diseases they carry.
The key is starting early. If you're thinking about tick and mosquito control for your property, the best time to begin is now.
Ready to take back your yard? Ransford Pest Control has been protecting Central Massachusetts families for over 100 years. Contact us today to learn about our tick and mosquito reduction programs, and let's get ahead of the season together.
Tick photos: Deer tick image is public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Dog tick photo by Peterwchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.