FleaDates › Tick season › Maine
Northeast · ME
When are ticks active in Maine?
Ticks in Maine are typically active early April to mid-November, heaviest May–Sep — and adult blacklegged ticks can surface on any mild winter day.
Ticks to know in Maine
Blacklegged (deer) ticks dominate in Maine, especially through the southern and coastal counties around Portland, and they are the reason Lyme disease sits front-of-mind for dog owners in this state. Activity runs from early April to mid-November, peaking May through September, and adult ticks keep questing on cool fall days after the summer crowds are gone. American dog ticks round out the picture in grassy and brushy spots at the height of summer.
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 Maine
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Quiet | 18.1°F |
| February | Quiet | 20.5°F |
| March | Quiet | 29.9°F |
| April | Moderate | 42°F |
| May | High | 53.9°F |
| June | Peak | 63.1°F |
| July | Peak | 68.9°F |
| August | Peak | 67.4°F |
| September | High | 59.4°F |
| October | Moderate | 47.7°F |
| November | Low | 36.6°F |
| December | Quiet | 25.4°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Maine'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. Maine flea season typically runs late April to mid-October — see the Maine flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Maine?
Around early April in a typical year, once temperatures clear roughly 40°F — noticeably earlier than flea season. A February thaw can bring ticks out ahead of schedule.
What ticks live in Maine?
The species dog owners most often meet in Maine: blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog tick. Blacklegged (deer) ticks dominate in Maine, especially through the southern and coastal counties around Portland, and they are the reason Lyme disease sits front-of-mind for dog owners in this state. Activity runs from early April to mid-November, peaking May through September, and adult ticks keep questing on cool fall days after the summer crowds are gone. American dog ticks round out the picture in grassy and brushy spots at the height of summer.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Maine?
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 Maine?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Maine that's late April to mid-October. See the Maine flea season page for that month-by-month picture.