Tick Season in Florida: What to Know, When to Worry, and How to Stay Protected
March 28, 2026
Florida is one of the few states where tick season never truly ends. While the rest of the country gets a winter reprieve from these tiny parasites, Florida’s warm temperatures and high humidity keep ticks active all year long — and that means your risk of a tick encounter doesn’t take a break either.
Whether you spend time hiking nature trails, gardening in your backyard, or simply walking your dog through a neighborhood park, knowing what you’re up against is the first step toward staying protected. This guide covers everything you need to know about tick season in Florida: when ticks are most active, which species live here, the diseases they carry, and how to keep yourself, your children, and your pets safe.
When Is Tick Season in Florida
Florida tick season typically runs from spring through late fall, but ticks can be active year-round due to the state’s warm climate. That’s a critical distinction compared to northern states, where cold winters naturally reduce tick populations. In Florida, there is no true “off-season.”
Peak activity occurs during humid months, especially March to October, when ticks thrive in overgrown vegetation and shady, moist environments. However, even outside of that window, you should remain vigilant. Although ticks might slow down in colder weather, they can stay active in temperatures as low as 45 degrees. Sometimes lower temperatures can be worse for tick activity because they will more actively look for a warm-blooded host to latch onto in order to survive the cold.
Spring and early summer (April–June) see a spike in nymph-stage ticks, which are harder to spot and more likely to transmit disease. Fall (September–November) marks another peak, especially for adult black-legged ticks that are active through late spring. Adult ticks, particularly deer ticks, tend to be active from September to May, meaning that even winter outdoor activity comes with risk.
Key Insight: Florida’s unpredictable weather can also drive tick surges. Hurricanes and heavy rains leave behind moisture and organic debris, creating ideal breeding grounds for ticks. After a storm, tick populations often surge in both public parks and private yards.
Spring and summer are the most common seasons for tick-borne diseases to occur in northern states, but tick-borne diseases can occur throughout the year in Florida. Because of this, year-round awareness isn’t an overreaction — it’s simply the smart approach for anyone living in or visiting the Sunshine State.
Types of Ticks Found in Florida
While approximately 25 to 30 tick species are in the state, few pose significant health risks to humans. That said, the species that do bite humans are worth knowing well. Each has its own seasonal patterns, preferred habitats, and associated diseases.
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
The lone star is the most common human-biting tick in Florida and easily recognizable. Females have a light-colored dot on their back. Nymphs are most active from February to October. Adults are most active from April to August, with their peak being in July.
Lone star ticks carry anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and STARI, which stands for southern tick-associated rash illness. One lesser-known but increasingly recognized risk is alpha-gal syndrome. While it can carry ehrlichiosis, STARI, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, its most notorious effect is alpha-gal syndrome, a serious allergy to red meat. This syndrome, triggered by a sugar molecule in the tick’s saliva, has raised alarm among hunters and outdoorsmen throughout the South.
Black-Legged Tick / Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Commonly known as deer ticks, black-legged ticks make their homes in deciduous forests and around the shady edges of tall grasslands. Any Florida area with lots of shrubs, forest land, and shaded grass may be home to deer ticks.
Nymphs are most active from April to August, and adults are most active from September to May. Deer ticks in Florida are known for carrying Lyme disease, but they can also carry babesiosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis, or HGA. Interestingly, tick population life cycles are different in Florida compared to northern states. Black-legged ticks feed on Florida’s large population of reptiles and lizards, which are not reservoirs for the disease. This is one reason Lyme disease rates are lower here than in the Northeast.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
American dog ticks are usually found on dogs, but they will also attach to other mammals and humans. Unlike the brown tick, it is typically an outdoor tick, not a household pest. This tick can carry RMSF.
Thriving in grassy fields and open habitats, this tick prefers medium-sized mammals like dogs, raccoons, and skunks. It is a known vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though not for Lyme disease.
Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
Aptly named, these ticks are predominantly found in the Gulf Coast area of the United States, including Florida. Nymphs are most active from February to August, while adults are most active from March to November. Adults will attach to large animals and humans, and are usually found on the ears of larger mammals. Gulf Coast ticks carry a relative of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, called Rickettsia parkeri, which is less severe than RMSF.
Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
The brown dog tick feeds mainly on dogs and is usually found in areas where dogs frequent. What makes this species particularly concerning is its indoor behavior. This species stands out because of its ability to infest homes, kennels, and indoor spaces. They hide in cracks and crevices, and their ability to complete their entire lifecycle inside homes makes them especially difficult to eliminate without professional help.
Pro Tip: To understand how ticks reproduce and why infestations can escalate so quickly, especially with the brown dog tick, it helps to learn about how ticks reproduce — including how a single female can lay thousands of eggs at a time.
Tick-Borne Diseases in Florida
According to the Florida Department of Health, the most common diseases from ticks in Florida are ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other spotted fever illnesses. Understanding each of these conditions can help you recognize warning signs early and seek treatment promptly.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is considered the most severe tick-borne disease in the US, with a high mortality rate among untreated cases. RMSF has a disease presence in Florida, with the number of cases increasing in the summer months. The American dog tick is the main transmitter in Florida.
This bacterial infection, transmitted by the American Dog Tick, can cause fever, rash, and severe complications like organ failure if not treated promptly. Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of a bite. If you develop a sudden high fever, headache, or rash following outdoor exposure, seek medical attention right away.
Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis ranks second in the state and is the general term for bacterial infections caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and E. muris eauclairensis. Spread by the Lone Star Tick, this disease leads to flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, and nausea, and can be life-threatening if untreated.
Lyme Disease
Fewer cases of Lyme disease occur in Florida than in the northeastern US. However, this does not mean the risk is zero. The CDC reports around 40 confirmed cases per year, but that number may be underreported due to misidentification or lack of awareness. Nymph-stage black-legged ticks are the main transmitters and are most active in spring and early summer. Because they’re so small, many bites go unnoticed until symptoms — like fatigue, joint pain, or rash — set in days later.
For a deeper look at one serious tick-borne viral illness that travelers and outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of, you can also read about tick-borne encephalitis, which is more common in parts of Europe and Asia but underscores how serious tick-transmitted diseases can be.
Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI)
STARI is a Lyme-like disease transmitted by the lone star tick. STARI differs from Lyme disease in that chronic symptoms (e.g., arthritis, neurological symptoms) likely do not occur. It does, however, produce a bull’s-eye-shaped rash that closely resembles early Lyme disease, which makes diagnosis challenging.
Babesiosis
Carried by the Black-legged Tick, this disease affects red blood cells and can cause anemia, fatigue, and severe complications in those with weak immune systems. Older adults and people who are immunocompromised are at the greatest risk for severe outcomes from babesiosis.
Important Note: Symptoms usually start within two weeks of being bitten. Although there are disease-specific symptoms, such as the bull’s-eye rash that can be seen in some cases of Lyme disease, the most common symptoms for tick-borne disease are fever, headache, and muscle pain. Always tell your doctor about recent outdoor exposure if you develop these symptoms.
High-Risk Areas and Habitats in Florida
You don’t have to venture deep into a forest to encounter ticks in Florida. While many assume ticks only thrive deep in the woods, the reality in Florida is far more concerning. Ticks are habitat opportunists, and in our warm, moisture-rich environment, they can live in places you’d never expect.
Ticks are typically found in wooded areas or areas with long grass. But in Florida, that description extends to a wide variety of everyday environments:
- Wooded forests and nature trails: Dense tree cover and leaf litter create the humid, shaded conditions ticks prefer.
- Tall grass and overgrown fields: Ticks use a behavior called “questing,” where they climb to the tips of grass blades and wait to latch onto a passing host.
- Suburban backyards: Florida’s lush landscaping choices, especially in suburban neighborhoods, can inadvertently create perfect tick breeding zones, even on well-maintained properties.
- Coastal areas: Ticks can be found in coastal dunes, marshy paths, and overgrown beach access points. You don’t have to be deep in the forest to get bitten.
- Pet resting areas and kennels: Brown dog ticks can complete their entire life cycle indoors, making dog beds, kennels, and carpets potential tick habitats.
Data from the Florida Department of Health and CDC show that central and northern counties, especially those with high deer populations, report more cases of tick-borne illnesses. Ticks and pathogens were also concentrated within the northern climatic regions of the state and were limited in distribution in the southern regions.
Pro Tip: One natural way to reduce tick populations in your yard is to encourage or protect animals that eat ticks, such as opossums, guinea fowl, and certain birds, which can consume large numbers of ticks in a single day.
If you enjoy outdoor activities like hunting, be especially mindful of tick exposure during your time in the field. Florida’s dove hunting season overlaps with some of the busier tick months, making personal protection an important part of your pre-hunt routine.
How to Protect Yourself, Children and Pets During Tick Season in Florida
Staying protected during tick season in Florida doesn’t mean staying indoors. It means taking a few consistent steps before, during, and after outdoor time.
Personal Protection
Before any outdoor activities, apply an insect repellent that contains either DEET or permethrin. You can also treat your clothing with a clothing-only tick repellent that contains at least 0.5% permethrin. If you will be in a wooded area or an area with tall grass, wear long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and tall socks, preferably all light in color. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to see ticks before they make it to the skin.
After you come inside, act quickly. The best way to eliminate ticks is to place clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes, as heat effectively kills them. Washing clothes in hot water also helps but is not as effective as drying. If you suspect your clothes have ticks, avoid placing them directly in a laundry hamper — store them in a sealed plastic bag until they can be treated.
Protecting Children
Children are at high risk of tick exposure, especially when playing in grassy, wooded, or shaded areas where ticks thrive. To reduce the risk, ensure kids wear long sleeves, long pants, and insect-repellent-treated clothing when playing outdoors.
After playtime, conduct a full-body tick check, focusing on hidden areas like behind the ears, along the hairline, and under arms. Teaching children to avoid sitting directly on grass or leaf piles and to stick to designated trails can also reduce tick encounters.
Protecting Pets
Florida’s pet-friendly climate means dogs and outdoor cats are at constant risk, especially if they roam through shaded lawns, underbrush, or community parks. Ticks don’t just bite — they hitch a ride indoors on your pets and can establish full infestations in carpets, furniture, and bedding.
Start by using vet-recommended flea and tick preventatives, which are specifically formulated to provide continuous protection. These can include topical treatments, oral flea and tick medication, and flea collars. Run your hands slowly over your pet, feeling for small lumps. Check between toes, inside ears, under the collar, and around the tail.
For dog owners especially, it’s worth reviewing dedicated guidance on preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog, since dogs face unique risks and require species-specific prevention products.
Yard and Habitat Management
- Keep grass trimmed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your own lawn to deter ticks from entering your yard.
- Remove woodpiles, debris, and overgrown shrubs from areas where children and pets play.
- Place a 3-foot wood chip or gravel barrier between lawns and wooded areas. This discourages tick movement by creating a dry zone they avoid.
Common Mistake: Many Florida residents assume that because their yard is mowed, it’s tick-free. Ticks don’t need thick woods to thrive. Even a single untrimmed corner of your yard can host hundreds of larvae or nymphs. Regular maintenance of all yard edges — not just the main lawn — is essential.
What to Do If You Find a Tick in Florida
Finding a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet can feel alarming, but calm, prompt action is the most effective response. Most tick-borne diseases require the tick to remain attached for 12–48 hours to transmit pathogens, so early removal can prevent infection entirely.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
- Use fine-tipped tweezers. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward steadily. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
- Clean the area. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
- Save the tick. Save the tick in a sealed container or bag if you decide to see a healthcare provider. This can help with identification if symptoms develop.
- Monitor for symptoms. After removing the tick, keep an eye on the bite area for a few weeks.
Important Note: Do not use your bare hands to handle a tick directly. Directly handling a tick with your fingers can expose you to harmful pathogens. Always use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
When to Seek Medical Care
Not every tick bite requires a doctor’s visit, but some situations do. Consider seeking urgent care if: the tick was attached for more than 24 hours; you develop flu-like symptoms, a rash, or swollen lymph nodes; part of the tick’s head or mouth is left behind after removal; the bite site becomes red, swollen, or filled with pus; or you are unsure if the tick was removed properly.
Ticks can transmit illnesses that cause neurological symptoms, so if you experience severe headaches, muscle aches, or a stiff neck, it’s important to take these seriously. If your lymph nodes become swollen near the site of the bite, this could be a sign of an infection spreading. Ongoing tiredness that doesn’t seem to go away could also indicate a tick-borne illness affecting your body.
Pro Tip: Take a photo of the bite and save the tick, if possible. Some tick-borne diseases have delayed symptoms, and identification can guide faster, more accurate treatment.
Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in Florida
Reporting a tick bite or a confirmed tick-borne illness is an important step — not just for your own health, but for public health tracking efforts across the state.
Notify Your Healthcare Provider
If you become ill after being in an area that is wooded or has long grass, seek guidance from your healthcare provider. Make sure that they are aware that you were potentially in tick habitat so that tick-borne diseases are considered. These diseases can be treated with appropriate antibiotics.
Be specific with your doctor about where you were, what outdoor activities you were doing, and when you first noticed the tick or symptoms. This context helps physicians order the right tests and rule out other conditions with similar presentations.
Report to the Florida Department of Health
Tick-borne diseases are reportable conditions in Florida. If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, or another tick-borne illness, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) tracks these cases through its tick and insect-borne disease surveillance program. You can also contact your county health department directly to report a suspected tick-borne illness or ask about local tick activity in your area.
Use CDC Resources
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains national surveillance data on tick-borne diseases and provides updated guidance on testing, treatment, and prevention. If you’ve been bitten and are unsure of next steps, the CDC’s tick bite reporting guidance is a reliable starting point.
Why Reporting Matters
Epidemiological data for tick-borne diseases show that most human cases occur throughout the spring and summer months, which corresponds with pathogen survey data. Accurate reporting helps researchers and public health officials identify emerging hotspots, track disease trends, and allocate resources to communities that need them most.
There is growing evidence that tick-borne illness in Florida may be underreported. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), from 2019–2023, canine tick-borne infections increased by 89.53% for Lyme disease, 100.49% for ehrlichiosis, and 334.23% for anaplasmosis in Florida. Since dogs tend to stay local, these numbers suggest that human exposure in the state may also be higher than official counts reflect. Reporting your case contributes to a more accurate picture of the actual risk landscape.
Key Insight: Several tick diseases are present in Florida, and others can be contracted during travel. If you are bitten by a tick and become ill, contact your physician. Depending on the disease and individual reactions, it may take several weeks for symptoms to appear. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen before reaching out to a healthcare provider.
Tick season in Florida is a year-round reality, but it’s one you can navigate confidently with the right information. By understanding when ticks are most active, which species to watch for, and how to respond if you find one, you put yourself in the best possible position to enjoy Florida’s outdoors without unnecessary risk. Stay consistent with prevention habits, check yourself and your pets after every outdoor outing, and don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider or your local health department if you have concerns.