FleaDates › Tick season › Louisiana
Southeast · LA
When are ticks active in Louisiana?
Louisiana ticks don't take a real winter break: average temperatures stay above the ~40°F questing threshold in every month, with pressure heaviest Feb–Dec.
Ticks to know in Louisiana
Gulf Coast ticks earned their name in places like coastal Louisiana, where they share the brush with the state's ubiquitous lone star ticks from early spring well into fall. American dog ticks work the open ground, and in town the brown dog tick — perfectly content indoors — takes advantage of the long, hot summers. With activity spanning February through December, there's no month a Louisiana dog can skip its tick check.
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 Louisiana
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Moderate | 51.7°F |
| February | High | 55.4°F |
| March | High | 61.8°F |
| April | Peak | 68.3°F |
| May | Peak | 76°F |
| June | Peak | 81.9°F |
| July | Peak | 84°F |
| August | Peak | 84°F |
| September | Peak | 79.5°F |
| October | Peak | 70°F |
| November | High | 59.8°F |
| December | High | 53.6°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Louisiana'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. Louisiana flea season typically runs year-round — see the Louisiana flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Louisiana?
It never fully stops. Louisiana'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 Feb–Dec.
What ticks live in Louisiana?
The species dog owners most often meet in Louisiana: lone star tick, Gulf Coast tick, American dog tick, brown dog tick. Gulf Coast ticks earned their name in places like coastal Louisiana, where they share the brush with the state's ubiquitous lone star ticks from early spring well into fall. American dog ticks work the open ground, and in town the brown dog tick — perfectly content indoors — takes advantage of the long, hot summers. With activity spanning February through December, there's no month a Louisiana dog can skip its tick check.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Louisiana that's year-round. See the Louisiana flea season page for that month-by-month picture.