Q: After a friend got infected with Lyme disease from a tick bite a few years ago, I’ve been worried about getting tick bites while out in the woods or working in my yard. When is tick season, and what should I do to prepare for it?
Being worried about tick season is understandable, and taking the appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family is important during tick season. Ticks carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease is the most common disease transmitted by ticks and, according to the CDC, approximately 30,000 cases are reported by state health departments every year. It’s important to note that the CDC’s data only includes officially reported cases. Using other methods of measurement such as insurance records indicate that the total number of Americans diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year is likely much higher.
Some things you should do to protect yourself from ticks include wearing long pants and long sleeves in areas where ticks are commonly found, using insect repellents, and checking for ticks on your body after being outside. But when is tick season, exactly, and when should you begin taking these precautions?
I’ve had my own scare with ticks after a hiking trip last spring, and it’s made me hyper-aware of how sneaky these little critters can be. Beyond the basics like covering up and using repellent, I’ve found it helpful to stick to the center of trails when hiking to avoid brushing against tall grass or bushes where ticks love to hang out. The CDC also suggests treating clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin, which can stay effective through several washes and really helps keep ticks at bay. If you’re like me and spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s worth investing in permethrin-treated clothing for extra peace of mind. Another tip I’ve picked up is to toss your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes after coming inside—it kills any ticks that might be hitching a ride.
Early Spring: The Start of Tick Season
For much of the United States, early spring is the start of tick season. When do ticks come out? While some tick species remain active throughout the colder winter months, others go dormant during the winter. As temperatures start to warm up in the early spring, however, tick species that had been dormant begin searching for a blood meal. This kicks off the beginning of tick season. Bear in mind that in warmer climates, early spring occurs sooner than mid-March.
Since early spring is also when people begin spending more time engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking and gardening, it can put them at an even higher risk of running into a tick. Taking precautions to prevent tick bites starting in the early spring is advisable.
I’ve noticed that ticks seem to come out of nowhere as soon as the weather warms up, especially in areas with lots of shade and moisture. A study from the University of Rhode Island found that blacklegged ticks, which carry Lyme disease, start questing (that’s their term for hunting for a host) when temperatures hit about 45°F. That’s why early spring is such a critical time to start being vigilant. If you’re planning a garden cleanup or a hike, try to schedule it for the middle of the day when it’s sunnier and ticks are less active. Also, consider using a tick repellent with DEET or picaridin on exposed skin—my go-to is a 20% picaridin spray because it’s less harsh on my skin but still effective.
Peak Tick Season: May Through August
May through August is considered peak tick season. You know that time of the year when you find yourself asking, “Why are ticks so bad this year?” If you’re noticing the proliferation of the insects it’s probably peak tick season, which typically lasts from May through August. Tick nymphs—the second stage in the 4-stage tick life cycle—emerge in May. After emerging, the nymphs join the adult ticks that have been feeding since early spring (or even earlier, in some parts of the country). This increase in tick activity means that May is typically the month when ticks are the most abundant.
In fact, warmer temperatures in the summer can actually make ticks more active. Ticks are cold blooded, so their internal temperature varies based on the air temperature. When temperatures are consistently between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which they often are in May through August, ticks breed more and look for food even more frequently.
During peak season, I’ve learned the hard way that ticks love warm, humid environments. Last summer, I found a tick on my dog after a walk through a wooded park, and it was a wake-up call to be more proactive. Entomologists note that nymph ticks are especially dangerous because they’re so small—about the size of a poppy seed—making them tough to spot. A practical trick I use is to keep a lint roller in my car for quick tick checks on myself and my pets after outdoor activities. It’s not foolproof, but it’s a quick way to catch any stragglers before they latch on. Also, if you’re in a high-risk area, consider consulting a local tick map to know which species are most common—knowing whether you’re dealing with blacklegged ticks or dog ticks can help you gauge your Lyme disease risk.
When Does Tick Season End?
Tick season usually ends around the time when temperatures start dipping below freezing. When do ticks go away? As summer ends and the weather cools down in the fall, ticks become less active. In many areas of the country, tick season ends once the temperature starts to drop below freezing. Some tick species die in freezing temperatures, while others may just become dormant until the weather warms up enough to find another blood meal. Other species, such as deer ticks, are better able to tolerate colder weather and can still be active during the winter.
While you might think that a very snowy winter would kill off a large portion of the tick population, the opposite is actually true. Snow can provide insulation for ticks hiding beneath leaves and other debris on the ground, and can help them survive through the winter. The best weather conditions for killing off more ticks are extended periods of below-freezing temperatures with late or minimal snow accumulation.
I used to think a good snowy winter would wipe out ticks, but after a mild winter a couple of years ago, I saw ticks on my property way earlier than expected. Research from the EPA backs this up, showing that ticks can survive under snow cover because it acts like a cozy blanket for them. If you live in an area with cold winters, don’t let your guard down too early. A quick tip I’ve found useful is to keep my yard clear of leaf piles in the fall, as they’re prime hiding spots for ticks waiting out the cold. If you’re in a region with mild winters, you might need to stay vigilant year-round, especially if you notice ticks on your pets during what should be the off-season.
Year-Round Tick Activity in Some Regions
For some regions in the United States, tick season lasts all year long. Historically, areas of the United States with more moderate temperatures don’t see the same annual drop in tick activity that colder regions do. Without temperatures dropping below zero, ticks remain active and continue searching for food.
Even if you live in an area that typically experiences freezing temperatures, years with mild or shortened winters can lead to increased tick activity. The EPA projects that a nationwide uptick in Lyme disease may be the result of warming temperatures and shorter winters, both effects of climate change. In states like Massachusetts and Connecticut, where ticks normally go dormant in winter, experts are observing signs of ticks year round. If this worrying trend continues, a growing number of U.S. residents may need to take precautions against ticks all year long.
Even as tick species’ habitat ranges may spread as annual temperatures warm, consulting up-to-date tick maps can help you identify active species in your area. The more informed you are about which ticks you’re dealing with and where, the better you can prepare and protect yourself.
Living in a milder climate, I’ve noticed ticks popping up even in January, which used to seem unheard of. The EPA’s research on climate change is a bit of a wake-up call—it’s not just about warmer summers but how ticks are adapting to less severe winters. If you’re in a place like the Southeast or parts of the Northeast, it’s worth checking out a tick map from your local health department to stay ahead of the game. One thing I’ve started doing is setting up a tick tube system in my yard—those little cardboard tubes filled with permethrin-treated cotton that mice use for nesting. It targets ticks at the source since mice are common hosts. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s been a game-changer for keeping tick numbers down around my property.
The Risk of Tick-Borne Diseases
A longer tick season means more opportunities for diseases to spread. The CDC has identified 16 different diseases transmitted by ticks in the United States, including Lyme disease, Colorado tick fever, tick-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia miyamotoi infection), and anaplasmosis. Ticks in the nymph stage are the most likely to carry and transmit these diseases to humans.
Summer is generally the time when pet owners and other people need to be the most wary of ticks when outdoors. However, growing habitat ranges and activity periods could mean the risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases needs to be taken seriously year round.
The thought of tick-borne diseases like Lyme can be pretty unsettling, especially after seeing a friend deal with it. The CDC’s data on 30,000 annual Lyme cases is probably just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go undiagnosed or unreported. What’s tricky is that nymph ticks, which are most active in summer, are so tiny you might not even feel them bite. I’ve gotten into the habit of doing a full-body check in front of a mirror after being outdoors—it takes a few minutes but catches ticks before they can do harm. If you’re worried about diseases beyond Lyme, like anaplasmosis, talk to your doctor about symptoms to watch for, like fever or rash, especially if you’re in a high-risk area. Knowing your local tick species can also guide whether you need to be extra cautious about specific diseases.
How to Prevent Ticks
Avoiding tick-borne diseases starts with knowing how to prevent tick bites in and around your home, and there are plenty of repellents, tick treatments for the yard, and other measures that get the job done. For best results, begin using these methods well ahead of tick season (or, in regions with year-round ticks, peak tick season).
- Mow the lawn regularly, especially grass that is in close proximity to the house
- Rake and remove leaves from the yard to deny ticks shelter
- Keep stacks of firewood as far away from the home as possible
- Avoid growing invasive plants that attract animals commonly affected by ticks, such as Japanese barberry
- Deter potentially tick-infested rodents and deer from entering your lawn
- Check your pets for ticks and immediately remove any you find
- Use veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention products on your pets regularly
- Check your clothing, personal items, and skin for ticks when coming indoors
Keeping ticks out of my yard has become a bit of a mission since I found a few crawling on my deck last year. Beyond the basics like mowing and raking, I’ve started using a natural cedar-based spray around my yard’s perimeter—it’s pet-safe and smells better than chemical alternatives. Studies show that creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas can cut down on ticks migrating into your space, which I’m planning to try this spring. For pet owners, I can’t stress enough how important it is to use vet-approved tick preventatives year-round, especially in warmer climates. Also, if you’re on a budget, skip the pricey landscaping overhauls and focus on simple stuff like clearing brush and keeping grass short—it’s low-cost and makes a big difference.