FleaDates › Tick season › New Jersey
Northeast · NJ
When are ticks active in New Jersey?
Ticks in New Jersey are typically active late February to mid-December, heaviest Apr–Oct — and adult blacklegged ticks can surface on any mild winter day.
Ticks to know in New Jersey
Few states pack in as much tick variety per square mile: blacklegged ticks blanket the wooded north and the Pine Barrens, lone star ticks are aggressive and abundant across the southern half, and American dog ticks patrol the field edges in between. The season stretches from late February to mid-December, with April through October the hardest months. Lone star ticks hunt actively rather than waiting on vegetation, so even a short walk through South Jersey scrub deserves a once-over afterward.
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 New Jersey
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low | 33°F |
| February | Low | 35.1°F |
| March | Moderate | 42.3°F |
| April | High | 52.8°F |
| May | Peak | 62.4°F |
| June | Peak | 71.7°F |
| July | Peak | 77.1°F |
| August | Peak | 75.3°F |
| September | Peak | 68.3°F |
| October | High | 56.8°F |
| November | Moderate | 46.4°F |
| December | Low | 37.8°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near New Jersey'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. New Jersey flea season typically runs late March to mid-November — see the New Jersey flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in New Jersey?
Around late 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 New Jersey?
The species dog owners most often meet in New Jersey: blacklegged (deer) tick, lone star tick, American dog tick. Few states pack in as much tick variety per square mile: blacklegged ticks blanket the wooded north and the Pine Barrens, lone star ticks are aggressive and abundant across the southern half, and American dog ticks patrol the field edges in between. The season stretches from late February to mid-December, with April through October the hardest months. Lone star ticks hunt actively rather than waiting on vegetation, so even a short walk through South Jersey scrub deserves a once-over afterward.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in New Jersey that's late March to mid-November. See the New Jersey flea season page for that month-by-month picture.