The Hidden Threat in Your Backyard: How Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Emerging Tick-Borne Diseases Are Changing the Game for Suffolk County Homeowners
Suffolk County residents have long been familiar with Lyme disease, but a more dangerous threat is quietly establishing itself in our backyards. From 1941 to 1970 260 cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever were documented in Suffolk County, Long Island, and recent developments suggest this potentially fatal disease is making a concerning comeback alongside other emerging tick-borne illnesses that demand immediate attention from homeowners.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: A Deadly Disease Hiding in Plain Sight
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a serious tickborne illness which can be deadly if not treated early and represents the most severe rickettsiosis in the United States. Unlike its name suggests, most recent cases have been reported in the eastern US. States include North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, with New York being an endemic area.
What makes RMSF particularly dangerous is its rapid progression. RMSF is a rapidly progressive disease and without early administration of doxycycline can be fatal within days. RMSF can be rapidly fatal within the first five days of the onset of symptoms. The disease begins with sudden onset of fever and headache, but the telltale rash that many associate with the disease less than 50% have it in the first 3 days, when most are seeking medical care.
In New York, the American dog tick (Dermacentar variablis) is the most common carrier. These ticks can be found in all five boroughs of New York City, as well as nearly all parks and woodlands in the eastern United States, making Suffolk County properties particularly vulnerable.
Emerging Threats: New Diseases on Long Island
Suffolk County is experiencing an influx of new tick-borne diseases that weren’t previously concerns for local residents. A single case of Heartland virus has been reported in NYS, and Bourbon virus has been isolated from ticks in Suffolk County. Both viruses are transmitted by the bite of an infected Lone Star tick. These viruses cause fever, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and diarrhea. Cases have also had leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and mild to moderate elevation of liver transaminases.
Additionally, the first established population of the Gulf Coast tick was reported in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in 2021, with a 30% infection with R. parkeri. Additional populations of this tick species with higher infections were later reported in New York and New Jersey in 2022 and 2024, respectively. This represents a significant expansion of tick-borne disease vectors into our region.
Medical professionals at Stony Brook University note that infectious diseases that can be transmitted by ticks in Long Island are: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, and Powassan virus, alongside the more commonly known Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
The Climate Change Connection
Climate change is exacerbating the tick problem in Suffolk County. Climate change is contributing to warmer average temperatures resulting in longer warm seasons. Earlier spring, hotter summers and shorter, milder winters create conditions that influence the number of ticks and where they are found. As ticks emerge and expand into new areas, the risk of tick bites and tick-borne disease transmission to humans and animals increases.
This means that traditional tick seasons are extending, and homeowners need year-round vigilance. Since ticks may be active year-round, disease transmission can also occur at any time of the year.
Why Professional Tick Control is Essential
With these emerging threats, DIY tick control methods are no longer sufficient. Professional pest control services understand the complex ecology of different tick species and can implement targeted strategies that address multiple disease vectors simultaneously.
Jones Tree & Plant Care, a Suffolk County-based company led by New York State Board Certified Arborist, and member of the Long Island Arborist Association Thomas Jones, has been addressing these evolving challenges for over a decade. As a licensed arborist, Jones is committed to offering scientifically based landscape management and delivering quality services. Jones Tree and Plant Care will inspect your landscape, diagnose any problems, and make recommendations based on knowledge and expertise gained through over 10 years of experience in the industry.
The company’s approach goes beyond simple spraying. Our certified arborist will conduct a thorough home inspection to identify areas where ticks and mosquitos are likely to breed and rest. We will then use our effective tick & mosquito spraying techniques to eliminate any current populations of ticks and mosquitos and prevent them from returning.
Integrated and Organic Solutions
What sets Jones Tree & Plant Care apart is their commitment to environmental safety. Our organic tick spraying and organic mosquito spraying services offer a safe and sustainable approach to pest control. Using natural ingredients derived from plant extracts and essential oils, we effectively repel ticks and mosquitoes while minimizing harm to the environment, humans, and pets. Our organic spraying solutions are non-toxic and biodegradable, making them ideal for environmentally conscious homeowners.
This is particularly important given the company’s core values. Jones Tree and Plant Care offers organic programs that promote outstanding land stewardship based on the ecological principles of nutrient cycling, biotic regulation of pests, and biodiversity. Our organic programs advocate safe, healthy property management using organic and least toxic practices and products that nurture and protect the health of families, pets, wildlife, and the environment from unnecessary exposure to toxic pesticides.
The Importance of Professional Tick Control Suffolk County, NY
For Suffolk County homeowners facing these emerging threats, professional Tick Control Suffolk County, NY services are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. We use a combination of control measures that are proven to be highly effective and safe for humans, pets, and the environment. Our techniques and strategies can reduce the population of mosquitoes in your yard by up to 90%. By investing in our mosquito control services, you can enjoy your outdoor living space without the worry of mosquito bites or mosquito-borne illnesses.
The company’s integrated approach includes a combination of safe and effective techniques to control tick populations, including spraying, habitat modification, and pet grooming, addressing the problem from multiple angles.
Taking Action Against Emerging Threats
As Suffolk County continues to see new tick-borne diseases establish themselves in our ecosystem, homeowners must adapt their approach to yard safety. The days of simply checking for Lyme disease symptoms are over—we’re now dealing with multiple potentially fatal diseases that require comprehensive prevention strategies.
Jones Tree and Plant Care creates specific programs based on the needs of each individual customer and property. A total tree and plant care approach will improve growth, condition and appearance of your property, all while using environmentally sensitive, affordable treatments.
The emergence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever alongside new tick species and diseases in Suffolk County represents a fundamental shift in the local disease landscape. Homeowners who take proactive steps now—including professional tick control services—will be better positioned to protect their families from these evolving threats. With climate change extending tick seasons and new species establishing populations in our area, the window for prevention is narrowing, making immediate action more critical than ever.
