The Hidden Pests of Long Island: Rats, Ticks & Wildlife

What’s Happening in Your Backyard Ahead of Labor Day Weekend?

With Labor Day approaching, many Long Island families will be savoring the last few weeks of summer outdoors, hosting backyard barbecues, enjoying parks, and traveling. But increased outdoor activity can also mean more encounters with rats, ticks, and wildlife.

From the rising rat activity in Seaford to the numerous reports of rare tick-borne illnesses, recent pest and wildlife issues across Long Island are a sign that what happens in your backyard can affect more than your property.

Long Island’s combination of suburban neighborhoods, beaches, wooded areas, wildlife, and outdoor recreation creates plenty of opportunities for people, pets, and pests to cross paths. Knowing the risks and taking steps to reduce them can help protect your home, family, and pets as summer comes to a close.

Here are the four major pest issues Long Island homeowners should know about before Labor Day and throughout the fall season.

1. Rats in Seaford

Residents in a Seaford neighborhood have noted a substantial increase in rat activity, with sightings occurring both day and night. While rats are often associated with metropolitan areas, they can easily thrive in suburban neighborhoods when they have easy access to food, water, and shelter.

Backyard gatherings and holiday weekends can unintentionally create additional food sources for rodents. Homeowners can make their properties less attractive to mice and rats by:

●       Securing garbage and removing outdoor food sources.

●       Cleaning up fallen fruit, birdseed, and food scraps.

●       Storing pet food in sealed containers.

●       Removing standing water whenever possible.

●       Maintaining lawns, shrubs, and other landscaping.

●       Sealing gaps, cracks, and other potential entry points into the home.

●       Before hosting a Labor Day gathering, inspect outdoor areas for spilled food, overflowing trash, and other conditions that could attract rodents. 

2. Bourbon Virus: A Rare Tick-Borne Concern

New York recently confirmed its first known case of Bourbon virus in a Long Island resident who was bitten by ticks while working in his backyard.

Bourbon virus is extremely rare, but the case acts as an important indication that ticks can transmit more than Lyme disease.

The best way to reduce your risk is to limit your exposure to ticks when spending time outdoors.

It’s important to know that you can get tick bites, even on the beach. Long Island beaches are home to ticks, especially near dunes, tall grass, beach grass, brush, and maritime forests, where ticks live, and deer or mice travel.

Homeowners should consider:

●       Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and other protective clothing.

●       Applying an appropriate tick repellent according to label directions.

●       Avoiding tall grass, brush, and heavily wooded areas when possible.

●       Checking yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.

●       Showering after outdoor activities and washing clothing as recommended.

If your Labor Day plans include spending time in the yard, at the beach, or on a hiking trail, check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks before coming indoors. Keeping your yard well-maintained and reducing areas where ticks and wildlife can survive can also help minimize exposure.

3. Tularemia (“Rabbit Fever”) on Long Island

Tularemia, commonly known as “rabbit fever,” has also been reported in Suffolk County.

This bacterial disease can spread through tick bites, contact with infected wildlife, including rabbits and rodents, or exposure to contaminated soil and vegetation.

Because both ticks and wildlife can contribute to transmission, homeowners should take steps to make their properties less inviting to these pests by:

●       Maintaining lawns and landscaping.

●       Limiting direct contact with wild animals.

●       Avoiding handling sick, injured, or dead wildlife.

●       Keeping pets away from unknown animals.

●       Removing brush, debris, and other potential wildlife nests or shelter.

●       Addressing tick activity around the property.

If you see any wildlife that needs removal, avoid attempting to handle or remove animals on your own. A trained professional can help assess the situation and recommend safe, humane solutions.

4. Alpha-Gal: A Tick-Borne Allergy Affecting Suffolk County

Another tick-related concern on Long Island is Alpha-Gal syndrome, a potentially serious allergy to a sugar molecule found in red meat and other mammalian products.

Unlike many other allergies, Alpha-Gal syndrome can develop after a tick bite. Suffolk County has reported more suspected Alpha-Gal cases than any other county in the United States, considering it an especially important concern for Long Island residents.

People with Alpha-Gal syndrome can experience allergic reactions after eating certain types of red meat and, in some cases, other products containing mammal-derived ingredients. Reactions can range from mild to potentially life-threatening.

Because avoiding tick bites is the primary way to reduce the risk of developing Alpha-Gal syndrome, tick prevention is especially important during outdoor activities.

Homeowners can help protect themselves by:

●       Checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.

●       Wearing protective clothing in areas where ticks are present.

●       Using an appropriate tick repellent.

●       Keeping grass and vegetation maintained.

●       Reducing areas around the property where ticks and wildlife are able to thrive.

●       Keeping children and pets away from tall grass, brush, and wooded edges when possible.

Labor Day Outdoor Safety Tips

As you prepare for the holiday weekend, take a few minutes to prevent pests from invading  your property:

●       Keep food covered during outside meals.

●       Empty trash containers promptly and use tight-fitting lids.

●       Clean grills, tables, and outdoor eating areas after meals.

●       Do not leave pet food or birdseed outside overnight.

●       Inspect play areas, patios, and lawn edges for ticks.

●       Keep guests and pets away from brush piles and sheds

●       Check tents, outdoor furniture, and stored decorations for insects or rodents before use.

A little preparation before the holiday can help reduce the chance of unwanted encounters while your family enjoys the outdoors.

How JP McHale Can Help

Tick & Mosquito Management

Our seasonal plan combines monthly treatments designed to reduce the tick and mosquito populations and keep them low throughout the season.

SMART Digital Pest Control

SMART Surveillance monitors rodent activity 24/7/365. Its 4G-connected system sends alerts when activity is detected, helping our technicians identify problems sooner and respond more precisely.

Home Shield Exclusion System

Home Shield keeps wildlife out of your home by creating a permanent, chemical-free barrier that protects common entry points.

Wildlife Management & Exclusion

From trapping and relocating unwanted wildlife to removing nests and droppings, our trained professionals handle wildlife concerns safely and humanely. We can also help prevent animals from returning by sealing entry points and installing exclusion barriers.

Don’t Wait Until You See the Problem

Pest and wildlife issues can become much more difficult to manage once they are established. Taking preventive steps before Labor Day and continuing them throughout the fall can help protect your Long Island home, family, and pets.

Contact JP McHale to learn more about protecting your Long Island property from pests, ticks, rodents, and wildlife: (833) 251-4984 or email us at sales@nopests.com.