Tick Season 2025: When Do Ticks Come Out and How Long Does It Last?

When Is Tick Season in 2025?

Tick season in the United States typically runs from April through October in most of the country, with peak activity occurring from May through July — when the smallest and most dangerous tick life stage, the nymph, is most active. However, tick season timing varies significantly by region, species, and year-to-year weather patterns.

The CDC reports approximately 400,000+ Lyme disease cases per year in the United States, making it the most common vector-borne disease in the country. Understanding when ticks are active is the first step to protecting yourself and your family.

Tick Season by Region

Northeast (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT)

Season: March through November, with peak activity May–July and a secondary peak in fall (September–October).
The Northeast is the epicenter of Lyme disease in the U.S. Blacklegged ticks (deer ticks) are the primary concern and remain active whenever temperatures exceed 35–40°F — which means warm winter days can bring tick activity even in December and January. Nymph season (May–July) is the highest-risk period because nymphs are the size of a poppy seed, making them extremely difficult to detect.

South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA)

Season: Year-round in most areas. Activity peaks February–August.
Southern states see the longest tick seasons due to mild winters. The Lone Star tick is the dominant species in much of the South and is highly aggressive — females actively pursue hosts rather than waiting on vegetation. The American dog tick is also widespread. While Lyme disease rates are lower in the South than the Northeast, other tick-borne diseases including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) and ehrlichiosis are concerns.

Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI)

Season: April through October, with peak activity May–July.
The upper Midwest — particularly Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan — has among the highest Lyme disease rates outside the Northeast. Blacklegged ticks are well-established across these states. Warmer recent winters have expanded tick ranges and extended the active season in this region.

West and Mountain West

Season: Variable — generally April through August at lower elevations.
Western states face lower Lyme disease risk than the East, but Pacific blacklegged ticks (found in California, Oregon, and Washington) do carry Lyme disease. Rocky Mountain wood ticks are the primary concern in the Mountain West. Altitude significantly affects tick activity — high-elevation areas have shorter seasons.

Why Nymph Season (May–July) Is the Most Dangerous

Ticks go through three life stages: larva, nymph, and adult. The nymph stage — active May through July — is when most Lyme disease transmissions occur, for two key reasons:

• Size: Nymphs are the size of a poppy seed (about 1mm). They're nearly invisible on the skin and in hair, making detection and removal extremely difficult.
• Infection rate: Nymphs are more likely to carry Lyme disease than larvae (which haven't yet fed on an infected host) but are much harder to spot than adult ticks, which are roughly the size of a sesame seed.

Adult ticks are most active in fall (October–November) and early spring (March–April). While adult deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease, their larger size makes them easier to find and remove before transmission occurs (transmission typically requires 36–48 hours of attachment).

Tick Species and Their Seasons

• Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) — Ixodes scapularis: Active March–November in the Northeast and Midwest; primary vector of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis. Nymphs peak May–July.
• American Dog Tick — Dermacentor variabilis: Active April–August, nationwide. Transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tularemia. Does NOT transmit Lyme disease.
• Lone Star Tick — Amblyomma americanum: Active April–September, primarily in Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Highly aggressive feeder. Transmits ehrlichiosis, STARI; associated with alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy).
• Pacific Blacklegged Tick — Ixodes pacificus: Active October–May in California and Pacific Northwest. Can transmit Lyme disease but lower rates than East Coast deer ticks.

What Temperature Activates Ticks?

Many people assume ticks are only active in summer heat, but blacklegged ticks (the Lyme disease vector) remain active whenever temperatures are above 35–40°F. This means warm winter days in January and February can bring tick activity in the Northeast — a fact that surprises many homeowners.

American dog ticks and Lone Star ticks prefer warmer conditions and are less active in cold weather. But never assume ticks are completely dormant just because temperatures drop — adult deer ticks are actually most active in late fall, well into November.

States With the Highest Lyme Disease Risk

According to CDC surveillance data, the following states consistently report the highest Lyme disease case counts:

1. Pennsylvania
2. New York
3. New Jersey
4. Connecticut
5. Massachusetts
6. Maryland
7. Wisconsin
8. Minnesota
9. Virginia
10. Maine

These states account for approximately 70% of all confirmed Lyme disease cases nationally.

Personal Protection Tips During Tick Season

• Use EPA-registered repellents containing DEET (20–30%), picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin
• Treat clothing with permethrin — one application can last through multiple washes
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot
• Tuck pants into socks when hiking or working in wooded/grassy areas
• Do full-body tick checks after outdoor activity — pay attention to scalp, behind ears, armpits, groin, and backs of knees
• Shower within 2 hours of coming indoors — this reduces risk of Lyme disease
• Check pets daily — dogs and cats can bring ticks into the home on their fur

When to Call a Professional for Yard Tick Treatment

If you're finding ticks regularly in your yard, or if you live in a high-risk area with wooded property, professional tick treatment is worth considering. Yard tick control typically involves:

• Targeted perimeter spray to vegetation and ground cover
• Tick tube applications to target tick habitat in lawn edges and woodlines
• Recommendations for habitat modification (keeping grass short, removing leaf litter, creating mulch barriers between lawn and woods)

A professional tick treatment typically costs $150–$300 per application, with seasonal programs (3–5 treatments) running $350–$800. For more information, see our tick control guide.