Why dropping temperatures don't mean the end of tick season
As temperatures fall, adult blacklegged ticks stay active through November in parts of the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest and can emerge on warmer winter days, increasing exposure during fall outdoor activities like raking leaves, hiking, and hunting. Tick-borne disease risk persists beyond summer, with authorities noting Lyme disease and other infections and a substantial number of preliminary reports in Maine this year. Ticks’ seasonal activity varies by region, and winter activity is possible during warm spells, with climate shifts expected to expand their active window. Prevention hinges on EPA-registered repellents, thorough body and pet checks after being outside, timely removal of ticks with tweezers, and seeking care if a rash or fever develops.
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Adult blacklegged ticks remain active through November in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, and can appear on unusually warm winter days, extending opportunities for contact during outdoor pursuits.
Maine health officials reported more than 5,000 preliminary tickborne disease cases this year, highlighting ongoing Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis risk in autumn.
Tick activity is seasonal but not limited to summer; in Vermont and Pennsylvania, adult females resume seeking hosts in October and November before winter, while winter warm spells can still sustain activity in other regions such as Wisconsin.
Global climate trends of warmer springs and falls and fewer freezing nights are cited as factors that lengthen the period ticks can stay active and encounter people in yards and natural areas.
Ticks inhabit grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, including leaf litter, making exposure possible even in residential yards.
Prevention guidance emphasizes using EPA-registered repellents, performing after-outing body checks on people and pets, showering within two hours, and drying or reheating clothing to kill any lingering ticks.
If a tick is attached, it should be removed promptly with clean, fine-tipped tweezers by pulling steadily near the skin, followed by cleaning the bite area and consulting a health professional if a rash or fever develops.