BRIAN PAIGE RECEIVES BEACON AWARD
BRIAN PAIGE RECEIVES BEACON AWARD
Pest Update continued from page 15
Q. So, what does this mean for me this spring?
A. The first ticks that we’ re going to see are going to be the deer ticks. We should even see adults in areas without snow. As the temperatures warm, you can expect to see many more. We won’ t see many lone star ticks and dog ticks until we head into late spring / early summer. Although, there are always odd balls. I have seen lone star ticks and dog ticks earlier than one might expect.
Rosendale, A. J., Farrow, D. W., Dunlevy, M. E., Fieler, A. M., & Benoit, J. B.( 2016). Cold hardiness and influences of hibernaculum conditions on overwintering survival of American dog tick larvae. Ticks and tick-borne diseases, 7( 6), 1155-1161.
Vandyk, J. K., Bartholomew, D. M., Rowley, W. A., & Platt, K. B.( 1996). Survival of Ixodes scapularis( Acari: Ixodidae) exposed to cold. Journal of Medical Entomology, 33( 1), 6-10.
Nymphal deer ticks are going to be active in the spring. Typically, I see my first nymphs in April. These are the ticks that I’ m often most concerned about. We estimate that 80 % of Lyme disease cases are transmitted by nymphal deer ticks.
Q. What habits should I make for tick safety in the spring?
A. Treat this time of year like any other time of year. Suggestions include:
• Apply tick and flea prevention.
• Perform tick checks after going outside.
• Check your pets for ticks after they come indoors.
• Be cautious around piled leaves along yard edges and alongside trails.
• Clear away snow and leaves from your yard.
• Compromise: If looking to promote habitat by“ leaving the leaves,” only clear leaves from the parts of your yard you expect to use often.
Citations
Burks, C. S., Stewart Jr, R. L., Needham, G. R., & Lee Jr, R. E.( 1996). The role of direct chilling injury and inoculative freezing in cold tolerance of Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis. Physiological Entomology, 21( 1), 44-50.
Mather, Thomas & Nicholson, Matthew & Donnelly, E. F. & Matyas, B. T..( 1997). Entomologic Index for Human Risk of Lyme Disease. American journal of epidemiology. 144. 1066-9.
Linske, M. A., Williams, S. C., Stafford III, K. C., Lubelczyk, C. B., Henderson, E. F., Welch, M., & Teel, P. D.( 2019). Determining effects of winter weather conditions on adult Amblyomma americanum( Acari: Ixodidae) survival in Connecticut and Maine, USA. Insects, 11( 1), 13.
April serves as a prime time to educate consumers on the value of lawn care, combat misconceptions about turfgrass and promote the professionalism of the industry. National Lawn Care Month shines a spotlight on the environmental, aesthetic, and functional benefits of healthy, well-maintained lawns and positions landscape professionals as the expert behind them. National Association of Landscape Professionals( NALP) has gathered tools and resources to help lawn and landscape pros educate customers, strengthen their team, and elevate their business all month long.
Key Takeaways from NALP
• National Lawn Care Month is a prime opportunity for education and advocating for the value of lawn care.
• Lawn care delivers more than appearance alone. Well-maintained lawns provide environmental benefits, create spaces for relaxation and family time, and give customers back time they would otherwise spend managing their yards.
• Consistent, customer-focused messaging builds trust. The strongest communication centers on customer outcomes— pride, enjoyment, convenience and partnership— and should continue beyond just National Lawn Care Month.
MALP Newsline | Spring 2026 19