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Lone Star ticks in Minnesota

Lone Star ticks are rarely reported in Minnesota.

Lone Star ticks are rarely found in Minnesota, the state health department says, and CDC lists no county where they are established.

Peak season
Not established hereOther ticks are most active April to September, CDC says.Source: Minnesota Department of Health (opens in a new tab)
What to do
Other tick species live here too, so the same habits apply: repellent outdoors and a tick check when you come in.
Where ticks wait
  • Wooded areas and shaded trail edges
  • Tall grass, brush, and overgrown fields
  • Leaf litter and ground cover
  • Shaded borders where lawns meet woods
Who should take extra care

Hikers and campers, hunters, pet owners, gardeners and yard workers, golfers, and parents of young children.

If you find one on you

Take it out with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up, and write down the date. The step-by-step guide tells you what to watch for, and for how long.

What to do after a biteIdentify the tick

How to avoid bites in Minnesota

  • Use EPA-registered repellent (DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus)
  • Treat clothing and gear with permethrin
  • Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks in brushy areas
  • Stay on cleared trails and avoid tall grass and leaf litter
  • Shower within two hours of coming indoors
  • Do daily tick checks on people and pets during the season
The full prevention guide

Common questions

Are there Lone Star ticks in Minnesota?

Rarely, if at all. Lone Star ticks are rarely found in Minnesota, the state health department says, and CDC lists no county where they are established. CDC still found moderate to high rates of suspected alpha-gal cases in some Minnesota counties, so talk to a clinician about symptoms. Other ticks are common here.

When is tick season in Minnesota?

There is no Lone Star tick season to speak of, because they are rarely reported in Minnesota. CDC says ticks in general are most active from April to September, so that is when prevention matters most.

Can I get alpha-gal syndrome from a tick bite in Minnesota?

In the U.S., alpha-gal syndrome is mostly linked to Lone Star tick bites, and those ticks are rarely found in Minnesota. If you get hives, swelling or stomach pain 2 to 6 hours after eating red meat, see a doctor. Mention any tick bites, even ones from a trip.

What should I do after a tick bite in Minnesota?

Take the tick out with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up. Wash the bite, keep the tick or a photo of it, and write down the date. Watch for symptoms for the next few weeks. See a doctor if you get a rash, a fever, feel very tired, or react to food.

How do I get a tick identified in Minnesota?

Seal the tick in a bag with a damp paper towel and take a clear photo. Your state health department or a university extension program may be able to name it or test it.

Where this comes from8 sources · Last reviewed June 2, 2026Show
  1. 1.
    Where Ticks Live (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    The Lone Star tick is widely distributed in the Northeast, South, and Midwest U.S.

  2. 2.
    Lone Star Tick Surveillance (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    County-level established vs. reported records. 'Established' = 6+ ticks or multiple life stages collected in 12 months.

  3. 3.
    Alpha-gal Syndrome (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    What alpha-gal syndrome is, symptoms, and its association with tick bites.

  4. 4.
    Current and Future Distribution of the Lone Star Tick in North America (opens in a new tab) · Raghavan et al., PLOS ONE (2019)

    Ecological niche modeling of Amblyomma americanum range and projected northward expansion.

  5. 5.
    Preventing Tick Bites (opens in a new tab) · CDC
  6. 6.
    Find the Repellent That Is Right for You (opens in a new tab) · EPA

    Search tool for EPA-registered repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus).

  7. 7.
    Lone Star Tick Surveillance Map Data, 2025 (county status) (opens in a new tab) · CDC

    Every county's status: Established (6 or more ticks, or more than one life stage, found in a year), Reported (fewer), or No records. Linked from CDC's Lone Star Tick Surveillance page.

  8. 8.
    Alpha-gal Syndrome (opens in a new tab) · Minnesota Department of Health

    AGS is primarily associated with the lone star tick, which is rarely found in Minnesota.

Educational information only, not medical advice. If someone is struggling to breathe or having a severe reaction, call 911. Read the disclaimer.

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