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Midwest · MI

When are ticks active in Michigan?

Ticks in Michigan are typically active late March to mid-November, heaviest May–Sep — and adult blacklegged ticks can surface on any mild winter day.

Tick season late March to mid-November Heaviest May–Sep
January — Quiet February — Quiet March — Low April — Moderate May — High June — Peak July — Peak August — Peak September — Peak October — Moderate November — Low December — Quiet J F M A M J J A S O N D MI ticks Heaviest May–Sep

Ticks to know in Michigan

Species blacklegged (deer) tickSpecies American dog tickSpecies brown dog tick

Blacklegged (deer) ticks have spread up the Lake Michigan shoreline and into Upper Peninsula forests, which makes them the tick that matters most for Michigan dogs, alongside American dog ticks in open grassland and brown dog ticks as an indoor and kennel concern. Ticks begin questing in March, reach their strongest stretch June through September, and remain findable into November after the leaves come down.

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 Michigan
MonthTypical activityAverage temperature
January Quiet 23.1°F
February Quiet 24.5°F
March Low 33.2°F
April Moderate 44.4°F
May High 56°F
June Peak 65.8°F
July Peak 70.9°F
August Peak 69.8°F
September Peak 62.5°F
October Moderate 50.4°F
November Low 38.6°F
December Quiet 28.9°F

Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 4 weather stations near Michigan'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. Michigan flea season typically runs late April to late October — see the Michigan flea season page.

Frequently asked questions

When does tick season start in Michigan?

Around late March 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 Michigan?

The species dog owners most often meet in Michigan: blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog tick, brown dog tick. Blacklegged (deer) ticks have spread up the Lake Michigan shoreline and into Upper Peninsula forests, which makes them the tick that matters most for Michigan dogs, alongside American dog ticks in open grassland and brown dog ticks as an indoor and kennel concern. Ticks begin questing in March, reach their strongest stretch June through September, and remain findable into November after the leaves come down.

Do I need tick prevention in winter in Michigan?

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 Michigan?

Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Michigan that's late April to late October. See the Michigan flea season page for that month-by-month picture.

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