Tick activity typically begins in early spring and can last through fall.

Ticks are most commonly found in wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, brush, and along the edges where lawns meet forests or overgrown areas. Properties surrounded by woods, stone walls, fields, or natural landscaping are much more likely to have ticks.

Ticks rely on wildlife to move from place to place, and white-tailed deer are one of the primary hosts. Sussex County has a very high deer population, which means ticks are frequently carried onto residential properties as deer move through yards, wooded edges, and landscaping. Small mammals like mice and chipmunks can also carry ticks and contribute to their spread.

If your property backs up to woods, has heavy vegetation, or regularly sees deer or other wildlife, there’s a strong chance ticks are present. Professional tick treatments help target the areas where ticks live and reduce their populations around your yard.

Yes. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) has been found in New Jersey and its range is expanding northward, meaning it is increasingly encountered in areas that historically had fewer of them. Research from the Rutgers University found that lone star ticks have been spreading farther north in the state as part of statewide tick surveillance efforts.

The lone star tick is an aggressive human-biting tick that is named for the single white “star” spot on the back of adult females. Unlike some ticks that simply wait for a host to pass by, this species can actively move toward people or animals.

Another reason the lone star tick receives attention is its connection to alpha-gal syndrome, sometimes called the “red meat allergy.” In some people, a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an immune reaction that causes allergic symptoms after eating mammalian meat such as beef or pork.

Because Sussex County has extensive forests, wildlife activity, and deer populations, properties that back up to woods or natural areas are especially likely to encounter ticks, including lone star ticks. Professional tick control treatments can help reduce tick populations around residential yards and the areas where people and pets spend time outdoors.

Professional tick treatments work by applying a targeted barrier treatment to the areas where ticks live and travel around your property.

During a professional application, technicians use specialized equipment to apply a residual treatment to vegetation and ground cover where ticks rest or wait for a host to pass by. When ticks come into contact with treated surfaces, the product affects their nervous system and eliminates them before they can attach to people or pets.

These treatments also create a protective barrier around the yard, particularly along wooded edges and high-risk areas where ticks are most likely to enter from surrounding environments. By reducing tick populations in these zones, the risk of ticks reaching areas where families and pets spend time—like lawns, patios, and play areas—is significantly lowered.

Because new ticks can be introduced by wildlife such as deer, mice, and other animals, treatments are typically repeated periodically during tick season to maintain consistent protection throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Professional tick treatments typically provide protection for 3–4 weeks.