FleaDates › Tick season › Maryland
Southeast · MD
When are ticks active in Maryland?
Ticks in Maryland are typically active mid-February to late December, heaviest Apr–Oct — and adult blacklegged ticks can surface on any mild winter day.
Ticks to know in Maryland
Blacklegged ticks make Lyme disease the front-of-mind concern for Maryland dog owners, active in woods statewide and on any mild winter day. Lone star ticks are the aggressive summer biters, particularly dense on the Eastern Shore, and American dog ticks appear in fields and yard margins from spring on. The heaviest pressure runs April through October, with the season's tail reaching late December.
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 Maryland
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low | 35.6°F |
| February | Low | 37.7°F |
| March | Moderate | 44.8°F |
| April | High | 55.1°F |
| May | Peak | 64.1°F |
| June | Peak | 73.1°F |
| July | Peak | 78.1°F |
| August | Peak | 76°F |
| September | Peak | 69.5°F |
| October | High | 58°F |
| November | Moderate | 47.6°F |
| December | Low | 39.6°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 2 weather stations near Maryland'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. Maryland flea season typically runs late March to mid-November — see the Maryland flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Maryland?
Around mid-February 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 Maryland?
The species dog owners most often meet in Maryland: blacklegged (deer) tick, lone star tick, American dog tick. Blacklegged ticks make Lyme disease the front-of-mind concern for Maryland dog owners, active in woods statewide and on any mild winter day. Lone star ticks are the aggressive summer biters, particularly dense on the Eastern Shore, and American dog ticks appear in fields and yard margins from spring on. The heaviest pressure runs April through October, with the season's tail reaching late December.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Maryland?
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 Maryland?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Maryland that's late March to mid-November. See the Maryland flea season page for that month-by-month picture.