FleaDates › Tick season › New Mexico
Mountain West · NM
When are ticks active in New Mexico?
Ticks in New Mexico 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 New Mexico
Tick activity here spans late January to mid-December, with the busiest stretch from May through September. Rocky Mountain wood ticks hold the high country and canyon rims, brown dog ticks are the ones that settle into kennels, garages and homes in the warmer south, and American dog ticks turn up in grassy bottomland. Because brown dog ticks can build up indoors without a single trip outside, even a dog that never leaves the yard needs tick coverage.
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 Mexico
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low | 37.4°F |
| February | Moderate | 42°F |
| March | Moderate | 49.3°F |
| April | High | 56.7°F |
| May | Peak | 66°F |
| June | Peak | 75.6°F |
| July | Peak | 78.4°F |
| August | Peak | 76.5°F |
| September | Peak | 69.7°F |
| October | High | 58.1°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 New Mexico'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 Mexico flea season typically runs mid-March to mid-November — see the New Mexico flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico?
The species dog owners most often meet in New Mexico: Rocky Mountain wood tick, brown dog tick, American dog tick. Tick activity here spans late January to mid-December, with the busiest stretch from May through September. Rocky Mountain wood ticks hold the high country and canyon rims, brown dog ticks are the ones that settle into kennels, garages and homes in the warmer south, and American dog ticks turn up in grassy bottomland. Because brown dog ticks can build up indoors without a single trip outside, even a dog that never leaves the yard needs tick coverage.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in New Mexico?
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 Mexico?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in New Mexico that's mid-March to mid-November. See the New Mexico flea season page for that month-by-month picture.