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LoneStarMap

Tick Season by State

Lone Star ticks are most active from spring through fall, with a peak in the warm months. Warmer states can have longer seasons. Peak months differ from state to state. This page lists them for each state where Lone Star ticks are found, with the source for each. Keep in mind that ticks can be active any time it is warm enough.

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Every state, month by month

Peak months for the 35 states where Lone Star ticks are found.

  1. AlabamaPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Alabama Department of Public Health (opens in a new tab)
  2. ArkansasPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  3. ConnecticutPeak season: April – AugustSource: University of Rhode Island TickEncounter (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  4. DelawarePeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  5. District of ColumbiaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: University of Maryland Extension (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  6. FloridaPeak season: Year-round (peak April – August)Source: University of Florida (opens in a new tab)
  7. GeorgiaPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Georgia Department of Public Health (opens in a new tab)
  8. IllinoisPeak season: April – JulySource: Illinois Department of Public Health (opens in a new tab)
  9. IndianaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  10. IowaPeak season: May – JuneSource: Iowa State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
  11. KansasPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Kansas Department of Health and Environment / K-State (opens in a new tab)
  12. KentuckyPeak season: March – SeptemberSource: University of Kentucky Entomology (opens in a new tab)
  13. LouisianaPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Mississippi State University Extension (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  14. MainePeak season: April – AugustSource: University of Rhode Island TickEncounter (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  15. MarylandPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: University of Maryland Extension (opens in a new tab)
  16. MassachusettsPeak season: April – AugustSource: University of Rhode Island TickEncounter (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  17. MichiganPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  18. MississippiPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Mississippi State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
  19. MissouriPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: Missouri Department of Conservation (opens in a new tab)
  20. NebraskaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  21. New HampshirePeak season: April – AugustSource: University of Rhode Island TickEncounter (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  22. New JerseyPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: Rutgers NJAES (opens in a new tab)
  23. New YorkPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: Rutgers NJAES (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  24. North CarolinaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: North Carolina DHHS (opens in a new tab)
  25. OhioPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  26. OklahomaPeak season: March – SeptemberSource: McClung et al., Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (2023) (opens in a new tab)
  27. PennsylvaniaPeak season: April – AugustSource: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (opens in a new tab)
  28. Rhode IslandPeak season: April – AugustSource: University of Rhode Island TickEncounter (opens in a new tab)
  29. South CarolinaPeak season: March – OctoberSource: Georgia Department of Public Health (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  30. South DakotaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  31. TennesseePeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  32. TexasPeak season: March – AugustSource: Texas A&M AgriLife TickApp (opens in a new tab), regional figure
  33. VirginiaPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
  34. West VirginiaPeak season: May – SeptemberSource: West Virginia DHHR (opens in a new tab)
  35. WisconsinPeak season: April – SeptemberSource: CDC (opens in a new tab), national guide
Peak months Active all year, outside the peak

Not established: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming. Other ticks live in these states, and CDC says ticks in general are most active from April to September.

General pattern

In much of the Lone Star tick's range, activity rises in spring, peaks in summer, and tapers off in fall. In warmer southern states, ticks may be active for more of the year. Mild winter days can also bring short bursts of activity.

Adults, nymphs and larvae

Adult Lone Star ticks are active from April to late August, the University of Rhode Island's TickEncounter says. The young stages are much smaller and easy to miss. Larvae, sometimes called seed ticks, latch on by the hundreds, so a cluster of many tiny bites at once may be larvae.

Plan prevention around the season

  • Step up repellent and treated clothing during peak months.
  • Check people and pets for ticks every day in season.
  • Stay alert on warm days, even outside the usual peak.

Check your state

Peak months vary by region. The chart above shows each state where the tick is found, with its source. Your state page has the rest, including local source links.

Common questions

When is tick season worst?

In the warm months. Activity generally peaks from about spring through fall, with longer seasons in warmer states. The chart on this page shows each state where the tick is found.

Can ticks be active in winter?

Yes, on mild days, even outside peak season. Stay alert whenever it is warm enough for ticks.

Sources

  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 (opens in a new tab) · University of Rhode Island TickEncounter

    Adults are active April to late August. Larvae typically latch on by the hundreds. Rhode Island reports have mostly been confined to Prudence Island.

  3. 3.
    Preventing Tick Bites (opens in a new tab) · CDC
  4. 4.
    Tickborne Diseases of the United States (opens in a new tab) · CDC

This guide is here to help you learn. It is not medical advice. If you have symptoms or questions, see a doctor. If someone has trouble breathing or a severe allergic reaction, call 911. Read our sources and disclaimer.