FleaDates › Tick season › Wyoming
Mountain West · WY
When are ticks active in Wyoming?
Ticks in Wyoming are typically active late March to early November, heaviest May–Sep — and one warm spell can wake them well ahead of spring.
Ticks to know in Wyoming
Snowmelt at lower elevations is the cue here — Rocky Mountain wood ticks are out by late March, joined by American dog ticks once the grass greens up. Pressure peaks from June through August, stays meaningful in September, and holds at a moderate level into October. Wyoming's wood ticks are worth respecting for tick paralysis in dogs as well as the infections they carry, so attached ticks should come off promptly, whole, with steady even pressure.
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 Wyoming
| Month | Typical activity | Average temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January | Quiet | 26.1°F |
| February | Quiet | 27.4°F |
| March | Low | 36.2°F |
| April | Moderate | 42.8°F |
| May | High | 52.2°F |
| June | Peak | 62.5°F |
| July | Peak | 70.6°F |
| August | Peak | 68.7°F |
| September | High | 59.2°F |
| October | Moderate | 45.7°F |
| November | Low | 34.5°F |
| December | Quiet | 26°F |
Estimates from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), averaged across 3 weather stations near Wyoming'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. Wyoming flea season typically runs early May to mid-October — see the Wyoming flea season page.
Frequently asked questions
When does tick season start in Wyoming?
Around late 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 Wyoming?
The species dog owners most often meet in Wyoming: Rocky Mountain wood tick, American dog tick, brown dog tick. Snowmelt at lower elevations is the cue here — Rocky Mountain wood ticks are out by late March, joined by American dog ticks once the grass greens up. Pressure peaks from June through August, stays meaningful in September, and holds at a moderate level into October. Wyoming's wood ticks are worth respecting for tick paralysis in dogs as well as the infections they carry, so attached ticks should come off promptly, whole, with steady even pressure.
Do I need tick prevention in winter in Wyoming?
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 Wyoming?
Fleas run on a warmer calendar — in Wyoming that's early May to mid-October. See the Wyoming flea season page for that month-by-month picture.