FleaDates › Tick season › Nevada
Mountain West · NV
When are ticks active in Nevada?
Ticks in Nevada are typically active late January to mid-December, heaviest Apr–Oct — and one warm spell can wake them well ahead of spring.
Ticks to know in Nevada
Ticks outlast fleas here by months: the tick window opens in late January and does not close until mid-December, with the strongest run from May through September. Rocky Mountain wood ticks work the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper, brown dog ticks thrive in hot indoor spaces around Las Vegas, and American dog ticks fill in along grassy margins. If your dog joins you on early desert hikes, take that late-winter shoulder seriously — a February tick bites the same as a July one.
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 Nevada
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low | 37.8°F |
| February | Moderate | 41.9°F |
| March | Moderate | 49.1°F |
| April | High | 55°F |
| May | Peak | 63.9°F |
| June | Peak | 73.3°F |
| July | Peak | 80.8°F |
| August | Peak | 78.8°F |
| September | Peak | 70.3°F |
| October | High | 57.6°F |
| November | Moderate | 45.6°F |
| December | Low | 37°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Nevada'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. Nevada flea season typically runs mid-March to mid-November — see the Nevada flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Nevada?
Around late January 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 Nevada?
The species dog owners most often meet in Nevada: Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown dog tick, American dog tick. Ticks outlast fleas here by months: the tick window opens in late January and does not close until mid-December, with the strongest run from May through September. Rocky Mountain wood ticks work the sagebrush and pinyon-juniper, brown dog ticks thrive in hot indoor spaces around Las Vegas, and American dog ticks fill in along grassy margins. If your dog joins you on early desert hikes, take that late-winter shoulder seriously — a February tick bites the same as a July one.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Nevada?
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 Nevada?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Nevada that's mid-March to mid-November. See the Nevada flea season page for that month-by-month picture.