September 2026 Newsletter

From the Desk of Tom

Babesiosis: A Growing New England Concern

Babesiosis is a disease caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells. In the Northeast, it is most often spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick — the same tick that can transmit Lyme disease.

Massachusetts has been considered an endemic state for decades; the first known U.S. case was identified on Nantucket in 1969. What changed recently was the map around us. After reviewing reported cases from 2011 through 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in 2023 that Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont should also be considered endemic. During that period, reported incidence increased significantly across several Northeastern states, including Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

For families near the Massachusetts–New Hampshire border, the message is not that babesiosis suddenly arrived. It is that the established risk now extends farther across northern New England, making consistent tick prevention increasingly important wherever we live, work, hike, garden, or let our pets roam.

What You Should Know

• Some people have no symptoms; others may develop fever, chills, fatigue, headache, or muscle and joint aches
• Illness can be severe, especially for older adults and people who are immunocompromised or do not have a spleen
• Use an EPA-registered tick repellent, avoid brush and tall grass when practical, and check people, pets, clothing, and gear after outdoor activity
• If you become ill after a known or possible tick bite, contact a healthcare professional. Symptoms alone cannot identify which tick-borne illness may be involved

Source: CDC, "Trends in Reported Babesiosis Cases — United States, 2011–2019," www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7211a1.htm

— Tom Drapeau
Freedom Pest Control

Pest of the Month: Fall Invaders

Stink bugs, lady beetles, cluster flies, and western conifer seed bugs are often called fall invaders. They usually are not reproducing inside the home. Instead, they gather on warm, sunny exterior walls and slip through small openings to find a protected place for winter.

What to Look For

• Insects collecting on sunny siding, windows, doors, or rooflines
• Activity around attic vents, soffits, chimneys, and window frames
• Slow-moving insects appearing indoors on warm fall or winter days
• Gaps around screens, trim, utility lines, and exterior penetrations

Reduce the Risk

• Repair torn screens and worn door sweeps
• Seal appropriate gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and wires
• Make sure attic and dryer vents have proper pest-resistant covers
• Vacuum occasional indoor invaders instead of crushing them

Once these insects settle inside wall voids or attics, eliminating every one can be difficult. Prevention works best before large numbers begin entering. If they are already gathering on the house, that is your building politely announcing it has openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rodent Watch: Mice Are Looking for Winter Quarters

As nighttime temperatures drop, mice begin testing buildings for food, warmth, and shelter. A house can look completely secure and still have openings around garage doors, bulkheads, utility penetrations, siding corners, or the foundation.

Early Signs of Activity

• Small dark droppings in cabinets, drawers, garages, basements, or attics
• Scratching sounds in walls or ceilings, especially after dark
• Gnaw marks on food packaging or stored items
• Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation used for nesting
• Pet food disappearing or pets focusing on one wall or appliance

Store birdseed, grass seed, pet food, and snacks in durable containers with tight-fitting lids. Clean up spills, reduce clutter along walls, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. Sealing entry points is important, but an inspection should account for any animals that may already be inside.

Animal of the Month: Coyotes

A Local Reminder: Wild Animals Are Still Wild

A recent incident in Haverhill involved a coyote approaching a young child and attacking a neighbor who stepped in. Encounters like this are unusual, and the story should not make us afraid of every coyote we see. It should remind us, however, that wild animals can behave unpredictably and should always be given space.

Coyotes are part of our New England environment and normally avoid people. Problems are more likely when they find easy food near homes or become too comfortable around people and pets.

Simple Ways to Protect Your Pets

• Bring pets indoors at night, especially small dogs and cats
• Keep dogs leashed and stay nearby during early-morning and evening walks
• Do not leave pet food outside, and keep trash securely covered
• Never approach, feed, or try to photograph a coyote at close range
• If one comes too close, do not run. Stand tall, make noise, and give it room to leave

Awareness is the goal — not fear. Enjoy wildlife from a distance, supervise pets outdoors, and remember: even when a wild animal looks calm or familiar, it is still wild.

Sources: NBC10 Boston, September 19, 2026; MassWildlife coyote-safety guidance. nbcboston.com • mass.gov/coyotes-in-massachusetts

September Homeowner Tip: Do a 15-Minute Exterior Check

Need a Hand?

See a Gap, Dropping, or Mystery Guest?

Early fall problems are easier to manage before pests settle in for the season. If you notice unusual activity, take a photo from a safe distance or request an evaluation. We can help identify what is happening, locate likely entry points, and explain the best next step.

Visit Freedom Pest Control