FleaDates › Tick season › Virginia
Southeast · VA
When are ticks active in Virginia?
Virginia ticks don't take a real winter break: average temperatures stay above the ~40°F questing threshold in every month, with pressure heaviest Apr–Oct.
Ticks to know in Virginia
Lone star ticks have surged across Virginia and are now the most common tick on dogs in much of the state, especially the humid east. Blacklegged ticks keep Lyme risk in the conversation from the Blue Ridge to the suburbs and stay active on mild winter days, while American dog ticks fill the sunny field margins all summer. April through October carries the heaviest pressure, but a Virginia tick can turn up in any month.
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 Virginia
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low | 39.5°F |
| February | Moderate | 42°F |
| March | Moderate | 49.1°F |
| April | High | 58.8°F |
| May | Peak | 67°F |
| June | Peak | 75.2°F |
| July | Peak | 79.4°F |
| August | Peak | 77.6°F |
| September | Peak | 71.6°F |
| October | High | 60.9°F |
| November | Moderate | 50.4°F |
| December | Moderate | 42.9°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Virginia'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. Virginia flea season typically runs mid-March to late November — see the Virginia flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Virginia?
It never fully stops. Virginia'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 Apr–Oct.
What ticks live in Virginia?
The species dog owners most often meet in Virginia: lone star tick, blacklegged (deer) tick, American dog tick. Lone star ticks have surged across Virginia and are now the most common tick on dogs in much of the state, especially the humid east. Blacklegged ticks keep Lyme risk in the conversation from the Blue Ridge to the suburbs and stay active on mild winter days, while American dog ticks fill the sunny field margins all summer. April through October carries the heaviest pressure, but a Virginia tick can turn up in any month.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Virginia that's mid-March to late November. See the Virginia flea season page for that month-by-month picture.