Ticks and outdoor temperatures

    As I picked two ticks off my cat yesterday, I was reminded of the fall desperation of ticks. If they have not gotten their blood meal yet they are out for blood!  Ticks can live all winter in warmer climates. However, in Maine, if we get freezing temperatures, (sometimes below zero for a long stretch...) they die or hibernate. However, when temperatures reach over 40 degrees, out they come. Ticks are active in temperature 40 degrees and over. Last year we had a warm winter and there were a lot of people and pets who got bit. Even if it freezes, then warms, out they come. Ticks only need one blood meal to reproduce the large batches of babies in the spring. If they have not gotten it, they come out looking for it. Just FYI.