Tick bites aren't evenly distributed across the year. The risk concentrates into a few specific weeks, and if you're reading this in May or June, you're in them right now.
This covers when tick season actually peaks, why 2026 is shaping up to be a bad year, where the risk is highest in the US, and what actually works to protect yourself.
When does tick season peak?
For blacklegged ticks -- the ones that carry Lyme disease -- the most dangerous window is May through July. That's when nymphs are active.
Nymphs are the second life stage, roughly the size of a poppy seed. They're small enough that most people don't notice them until they've been attached for hours. Lyme transmission typically requires 36-48 hours of attachment, which means by the time you spot a nymph, it may already be too late.
Adult ticks are active earlier (March-April) and later in the year (October-November), but adults are easier to spot. The nymph window is when the most Lyme cases happen.
The CDC reports around 476,000 Lyme disease diagnoses per year in the US. The bulk of those trace back to May-July nymph exposure.
Lone star ticks -- the species linked to alpha-gal syndrome -- have a longer season. They're active April through September, with peak activity in summer.
Why 2026 is expected to be worse
Tick populations are heavily influenced by winter weather. A mild winter means more ticks survive to the active season. The 2025-2026 winter was warmer than average across much of the northeast and midwest -- the regions with the highest tick density in the country.
The other factor is the mast year cycle. Oak trees produce acorns in two-year boom-bust cycles. A high-acorn year feeds a boom in white-footed mouse populations. Mice are the primary reservoir for Lyme bacteria and the preferred host for tick larvae. A mouse boom translates into a tick boom two years later.
2023 was a significant mast year across the northeast. That population wave is hitting now.
Where the risk is highest
Blacklegged ticks are established in 49 states but the risk is concentrated. The northeastern and upper midwestern states account for the vast majority of US Lyme cases: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
These 15 states account for over 95% of confirmed Lyme disease cases. If you live in or travel to any of them during May-July, tick prevention isn't optional.
Lone star ticks have expanded their range steadily northward. As of 2026 they're established as far north as Maine and as far west as Nebraska. Alpha-gal syndrome cases have followed that expansion.
Where ticks actually wait for you
Ticks don't live in open grass. They concentrate in specific spots:
Leaf litter and brush edges -- the transition zone between a mowed lawn and unmowed vegetation is prime tick habitat. Most residential tick bites happen within 9 feet of this border.
Tall grass and shrubs along trails -- not in the middle of the trail, but on the edges where branches overhang the path.
Wood piles and stone walls -- common in older northeastern residential areas. Mice nest there; ticks follow.
Around 75% of Lyme-transmitting tick bites happen in residential settings -- not deep in the backcountry. The risk is in your yard as much as it is on the trail.
What actually reduces your risk
Cover your ankles -- the ankle and sock line is where the vast majority of tick attachment starts. Ticks don't jump or fly. They crawl up from the ground. Closing off that entry point cuts your exposure dramatically.
Tuck your pants into your socks -- free, instant, and it works. Creates the same mechanical barrier. The downside is it looks terrible and most people won't stick with it.
Treat your clothes with permethrin -- kills ticks on contact. Effective for around 6 washes with spray application. Note: permethrin shows reduced effectiveness against lone star ticks, the species that causes alpha-gal syndrome.
Do a tick check within 2 hours of coming inside -- nymphs found and removed before 36-48 hours of attachment typically do not transmit Lyme. Focus on the scalp, behind the knees, groin, and underarms.
Frequently asked questions
Is tick season worse this year than previous years?
The mild 2025-2026 winter is a bad sign for tick counts. Warmer-than-average winters consistently produce higher tick populations the following active season. 2026 is likely to be above average in high-risk states.
When does tick season end?
Blacklegged tick nymph season ends around mid-July to August. But adult blacklegged ticks become active again in October-November, often in warm spells that extend into late fall. Lone star ticks are active through September. In warm-weather states, year-round vigilance is standard.
Does DEET work on ticks?
DEET repels ticks from skin but is less effective than permethrin on clothing. Using both together is the CDC's recommended approach. Neither is as physically reliable as a tight mechanical barrier at the ankle entry point.
Can you get Lyme disease from a bite you don't feel?
Yes. Nymphs are small enough that many people never feel them attach. The absence of pain or itching is not confirmation you weren't bitten. This is why the tick check matters even when you feel fine.
The Tix Calf Shield is a compression ankle sleeve that seals off the ankle entry point where most tick bites start. Chemical-free, no permethrin, no Velcro. Stays in place on the trail and in the backyard.