FleaDates › Tick season › New York
Northeast · NY
When are ticks active in New York?
Ticks in New York are typically active mid-March to early December, heaviest May–Oct — and adult blacklegged ticks can surface on any mild winter day.
Ticks to know in New York
Blacklegged ticks drive the story in New York, from the Hudson Valley's notoriously ticky woods to suburban Long Island, active from mid-March to early December with pressure heaviest May through October. Long Island adds well-established lone star ticks to the mix, and American dog ticks turn up statewide in open, grassy country all summer. Late-fall leaf piles and stone walls still hide questing adult blacklegged ticks, so keep up the checks well after sweater weather arrives.
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 York
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Quiet | 27.2°F |
| February | Quiet | 28.8°F |
| March | Low | 36.5°F |
| April | Moderate | 47.9°F |
| May | High | 59.2°F |
| June | Peak | 68.3°F |
| July | Peak | 73.3°F |
| August | Peak | 71.9°F |
| September | Peak | 64.7°F |
| October | High | 53.1°F |
| November | Moderate | 42.5°F |
| December | Low | 33°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 4 weather stations near New York'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 York flea season typically runs mid-April to early November — see the New York flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in New York?
Around mid-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 New York?
The species dog owners most often meet in New York: blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog tick, lone star tick. Blacklegged ticks drive the story in New York, from the Hudson Valley's notoriously ticky woods to suburban Long Island, active from mid-March to early December with pressure heaviest May through October. Long Island adds well-established lone star ticks to the mix, and American dog ticks turn up statewide in open, grassy country all summer. Late-fall leaf piles and stone walls still hide questing adult blacklegged ticks, so keep up the checks well after sweater weather arrives.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in New York?
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 York?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in New York that's mid-April to early November. See the New York flea season page for that month-by-month picture.