As Minnesota warms up in spring and summer, the woods, fields, and even backyards come alive, and unfortunately, so do ticks.
In recent years, Minnesota has experienced a significant surge in tick activity, leading to an increase in cases of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. For homeowners, pet owners, and outdoor lovers alike, this poses a growing health risk that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
At Abra Kadabra Environmental Services, we’re committed to protecting Minnesota families from pests, not just the annoying ones, but the dangerous ones, too. In this guide, we’ll explain why tick populations are surging, the diseases they spread, and most importantly, how to protect yourself, your pets, and your property.
Why the Surge? What’s Behind the Tick Boom in Minnesota?
Ticks have always been part of Minnesota’s ecosystem, but several factors have fueled their explosive growth in recent years.
1. Milder Winters
Shorter, warmer winters mean more ticks survive and become active earlier in the year. Ticks can begin feeding when temperatures are just above freezing, and with recent climate trends, their active season now starts as early as March and lasts into November.
2. Expanding Deer and Rodent Populations
Essential hosts for ticks, like white-tailed deer and mice, are thriving in suburban and rural areas. As these animals encroach on human spaces, so do their parasitic hitchhikers.
3. Suburban Development Near Woodlands
Many Minnesota homes are built near wooded or grassy areas, which are prime tick habitats. The closer your yard is to nature, the more likely ticks are to find their way onto your property and your family.
4. More Awareness and Reporting
Minnesota’s healthcare and public health systems have improved tracking and diagnosis of tick-borne illnesses, resulting in more cases being reported than in the past.
Ticks in Minnesota: Identification & the Diseases They Carry
Minnesota is home to several tick species, but the ones that concern public health the most are:
1. Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)
- Peak season: Spring and fall
- Diseases carried: Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus
- Habitat: Wooded and brushy areas with leaf litter or tall grass
2. American Dog Tick
- Peak season: Late spring through early summer
- Diseases carried: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (rare), tularemia
- Habitat: Fields, trails, grassy edges of woods
Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis: What You Need to Know
Lyme Disease
- Cause: Borrelia burgdorferi (bacteria)
- Spread by: Blacklegged ticks
- Symptoms: Fatigue, fever, headache, joint pain, bull’s-eye rash
- Chronic effects: If untreated, Lyme can lead to neurological issues, arthritis, and heart problems.
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in Minnesota, with thousands of reported cases each year.
Anaplasmosis
- Cause: Anaplasma phagocytophilum (bacteria)
- Spread by: Blacklegged ticks
- Symptoms: Fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, confusion
- Severity: Anaplasmosis can be severe, especially for older adults or those with weakened immune systems.
Both diseases are treatable if caught early, but prevention is key.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Whether you’re hiking, gardening, or just playing in the yard, these steps can help keep ticks at bay.
1. Dress Defensively
- Wear long sleeves and long pants, tucked into socks or boots.
- Choose light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
- Treat clothing with permethrin (a tick-repelling chemical) or buy pre-treated gear.
2. Use EPA-Approved Tick Repellents
Apply repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or lemon eucalyptus oil to exposed skin. Always follow the label instructions, especially when applying to children.
3. Stay on Trails
When in wooded areas, stay in the center of trails and avoid brushing up against tall grasses or leaf litter where ticks hide.
4. Shower After Outdoor Activities
Showering within two hours of being outside helps remove ticks that haven’t yet attached — and makes it easier to perform a full body check.
5. Perform Daily Tick Checks
Inspect yourself, your kids, and your pets after spending time outdoors.
Focus on:
- Behind the knees
- In and around the ears
- Along the hairline and scalp
- Under your arms and breasts (for women)
- Around the waistline
- Groin area
Use a mirror or have someone help for hard-to-see spots.
Tick Safety for Pets
Ticks don’t just bite humans; they also pose serious health risks to pets, especially dogs.
Protect your pets by:
- Using vet-approved tick preventatives
- Checking their fur daily—especially around the ears, paws, and under the collar
- Keeping them off wooded trails and tall grass
- Grooming them regularly
If you spot a tick, remove it promptly with tweezers and monitor for signs of illness such as fever, lethargy, limping, or loss of appetite.
How to Tick-Proof Your Yard
Preventing tick bites starts with keeping your yard less hospitable to ticks. Here’s how:
1. Maintain Your Lawn – Mow regularly, remove leaf litter and weeds, and clear tall grass along property edges.
2. Creating a Barrier – Use wood chips or gravel to create a 3-foot-wide barrier between your lawn and wooded areas. This makes it harder for ticks to migrate into your yard.
3. Detering Wildlife Hosts – Secure trash and remove bird feeders to avoid attracting mice, squirrels, and deer, which carry ticks.Install fencing or deer-repelling plants around your property.
4. Treating Professionally – At Abra Kadabra Environmental Services, we offer seasonal tick control treatments using products that are tough on ticks and gentle on families and pets.
Our tick suppression service includes an inspection of high-risk areas, targeted treatments along property edges, wooded zones, and high-traffic areas, plus ongoing support with seasonal follow-ups to ensure lasting protection
Tick Removal: First Aid
If you find a tick embedded in your skin, don’t panic — but act quickly and safely.
Steps to safely remove a tick:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin.
- Pull upward steadily—don’t twist or jerk.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Dispose of the tick in alcohol, a sealed bag, or save in a container for possible testing.
- Monitor for symptoms (rash, fever, aches) for 30 days and contact your doctor if any appear.
Why Professional Tick Control Works
DIY tick control methods can help, but professional intervention is often necessary, especially with rising tick populations and expanding habitats.
Here’s why homeowners trust Abra Kadabra:
- We target the complete tick life cycle, not just adults.
- Our technicians know where ticks breed and hide in Minnesota environments.
- We use eco-conscious products that are safe for families and pets.
- Our approach includes prevention, treatment, and education — not just spraying.
Our seasonal prevention plan starts in early spring, with treatments every 4-6 weeks through fall, ensuring your property remains protected all season. When you partner with us, you’re not just getting a service. You’re getting a season-long defense system.
In Conclusion
Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme and anaplasmosis are real–but preventable–threats in Minnesota.
By protecting your yard, pets, and family with innovative practices and trusted pest professionals, you can reduce your risk and enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind.
At Abra Kadabra Environmental Services, we’ve made it our mission to keep Minnesota homes pest-free and protected from nature’s more dangerous invaders–season after season.
Call Abra Kadabra today to schedule your tick control service or book online for a free consultation
