FleaDates › Tick season › Alabama
Southeast · AL
When are ticks active in Alabama?
Alabama ticks don't take a real winter break: average temperatures stay above the ~40°F questing threshold in every month, with pressure heaviest Mar–Nov.
Ticks to know in Alabama
Lone star ticks are the hitchhiker Alabama dogs pick up most, aggressive from early spring through fall, with American dog ticks sharing the same grassy edges. Along the Gulf near Mobile, Gulf Coast ticks add to the mix, and blacklegged ticks stay active through the cooler months — one reason tick season here never fully closes. March through November is the heavy stretch, but a mild January walk in the woods can still produce a tick.
Wherever the calendar sits this month, the habit that actually catches ticks is the after-walk check: ears, collar line, armpits, between the toes. Prevention plus checks beats either alone.
Month-by-month tick activity in Alabama
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Moderate | 47°F |
| February | Moderate | 51°F |
| March | High | 57.8°F |
| April | Peak | 65.1°F |
| May | Peak | 73°F |
| June | Peak | 79.7°F |
| July | Peak | 82.3°F |
| August | Peak | 81.9°F |
| September | Peak | 77.2°F |
| October | Peak | 66.8°F |
| November | High | 56°F |
| December | Moderate | 49.4°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 4 weather stations near Alabama's larger cities, using the ~40°F activity threshold reported in published tick research. Real years run early or late with the weather.
Fleas peak later. Alabama flea season typically runs late January to mid-December — see the Alabama flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Alabama?
It never fully stops. Alabama's average temperatures sit above the ~40°F questing threshold all year, so tick checks and prevention are a twelve-month routine, with extra vigilance Mar–Nov.
What ticks live in Alabama?
The species dog owners most often meet in Alabama: lone star tick, American dog tick, Gulf Coast tick, blacklegged (deer) tick. Lone star ticks are the hitchhiker Alabama dogs pick up most, aggressive from early spring through fall, with American dog ticks sharing the same grassy edges. Along the Gulf near Mobile, Gulf Coast ticks add to the mix, and blacklegged ticks stay active through the cooler months — one reason tick season here never fully closes. March through November is the heavy stretch, but a mild January walk in the woods can still produce a tick.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Alabama?
Yes. Ticks overwinter under leaf litter and snow rather than dying off, and mild spells wake them — which is why veterinary organizations recommend year-round parasite prevention. The calendar shows when pressure peaks, not when protection can lapse.
What about fleas in Alabama?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Alabama that's late January to mid-December. See the Alabama flea season page for that month-by-month picture.