Originally Posted by Kitt

They take cover under debris, etc. until it is warm enough to come out again. A good site explains it.

http://www.aldf.com/deerTickEcology.shtml

They are there just under cover til it warms up again. Probably a good reason to get the leaves and such off of your lawn in the fall. We mow a huge area as well. Also, chickens of all kinds really clean them up.