FleaDates › Tick season › Mississippi
Southeast · MS
When are ticks active in Mississippi?
Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Expect lone star ticks in nearly any patch of Mississippi woods from spring through fall — they're the state's most common dog tick by a wide margin. American dog ticks share the peak months, Gulf Coast ticks live up to their name near Biloxi and across the southern pinelands, and blacklegged ticks keep working through the mild winters. With the heavy season running March into November and no truly quiet month, tick checks are a year-round ritual here.
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 Mississippi
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Moderate | 47.4°F |
| February | Moderate | 51.2°F |
| March | High | 58°F |
| April | Peak | 65.2°F |
| May | Peak | 73.2°F |
| June | Peak | 79.9°F |
| July | Peak | 82.4°F |
| August | Peak | 82°F |
| September | Peak | 77.2°F |
| October | Peak | 66.9°F |
| November | High | 56°F |
| December | Moderate | 49.7°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Mississippi'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. Mississippi flea season typically runs late January to late December — see the Mississippi flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Mississippi?
It never fully stops. Mississippi'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 Mississippi?
The species dog owners most often meet in Mississippi: lone star tick, American dog tick, Gulf Coast tick, blacklegged (deer) tick. Expect lone star ticks in nearly any patch of Mississippi woods from spring through fall — they're the state's most common dog tick by a wide margin. American dog ticks share the peak months, Gulf Coast ticks live up to their name near Biloxi and across the southern pinelands, and blacklegged ticks keep working through the mild winters. With the heavy season running March into November and no truly quiet month, tick checks are a year-round ritual here.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Mississippi?
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 Mississippi?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Mississippi that's late January to late December. See the Mississippi flea season page for that month-by-month picture.