Minnesota Tick Season: Peak Months, Dangerous Species, and Expert Prevention Tips

Ticks are a year-round reality in Minnesota, but for most of the year, a single precaution separates a safe hike from a potentially serious health situation. These small but potentially dangerous creatures are active from spring through fall and pose a risk of transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Knowing when tick season peaks, which species to watch for, and how to protect yourself can make all the difference.

Whether you spend your weekends exploring state parks, hunting in the woods, or simply enjoying your backyard, this guide covers everything you need to stay safe during tick season in Minnesota — from the first warm days of spring through the last frost of fall.

Key Insight: Tick-borne diseases are more easily prevented than cured. A few consistent habits — repellent, protective clothing, and daily tick checks — dramatically reduce your risk even in high-exposure areas.

When Is Tick Season in Minnesota

In Minnesota, tick season is late spring through early fall when these small bugs are most active. However, the full picture is more nuanced — different tick species and life stages follow different activity calendars, and some ticks can be active on warm days even outside the traditional season.

While ticks may be active whenever it is warm outside (i.e., above freezing with little to no snow cover), be aware of when ticks are most active in Minnesota so you can be extra diligent during these months: blacklegged tick adults are most active in the spring and fall; blacklegged tick nymphs (immature ticks) are most active from mid-May through mid-July; and American dog tick adults are most active in the spring and early summer.

Here is a breakdown of tick activity by life stage throughout the year:

Immature ticks are considered more of a disease risk because they are smaller and harder to notice, so they often remain attached and feed for longer. Adult ticks are not common in winter months, though they may be active when temperatures are above 40 degrees, especially if there is limited snow cover. Typically they start being active in March with their activity peaking in May, June, and July. They have a slow period in August and early September before re-emerging in the fall, where they will remain active until there are consistent freezing temperatures.

If you enjoy outdoor activities like deer hunting in Minnesota or pheasant hunting, keep in mind that fall hunting seasons overlap directly with a secondary peak in adult tick activity — making tick checks after every outing essential.

Types of Ticks Found in Minnesota

There are 13 known species of ticks in Minnesota. However, only a small number of those species regularly come into contact with people. Understanding which ticks you’re most likely to encounter helps you assess your risk accurately.

Three types that people may come across in Minnesota are the blacklegged tick (aka deer tick), the American dog tick (aka wood tick), and the lone star tick. The blacklegged tick causes by far the most tickborne disease in Minnesota. People in Minnesota are often bitten by American dog ticks, but they rarely spread diseases.

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)

Deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, are just one of thirteen known tick species in Minnesota. They are most common in the east and central areas of the state and are found in hardwood forests and wooded and brushy areas. This is the tick responsible for the majority of tick-borne illness cases in the state.

Deer ticks are tiny. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed and can be very difficult to spot. Blacklegged ticks spend most of their life on the ground, under the leaf litter layer of the forest. They do not jump or fly — blacklegged ticks crawl; they grab onto people or animals that brush against vegetation, and then they crawl upwards to find a place to bite.

To learn more about how ticks reproduce and why populations can surge in certain years, it helps to understand their multi-stage life cycle.

Pro Tip: The adult female blacklegged tick can be identified by reddish-orange coloring on her back. If you spot a very small, dark tick — smaller than a sesame seed — treat it as a blacklegged tick until confirmed otherwise.

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

The American dog tick is the tick most Minnesotans are familiar with. American dog ticks are found throughout Minnesota, while blacklegged ticks have been found throughout most of the wooded parts of the state. These ticks are larger and easier to see than blacklegged ticks, which makes them easier to detect during a body check.

American dog ticks may spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, though this is relatively uncommon in Minnesota. Their larger size makes them more noticeable, which is one reason they are associated with fewer disease transmissions than the tiny blacklegged tick.

Lone Star Tick

Lone star ticks are rarely found in Minnesota, but can spread diseases such as ehrlichiosis and tularemia. Recently, the lone star tick population is increasing in Minnesota as well, so it is worth knowing what to look for. The lone star tick is identifiable by a distinctive white dot on the back of the female.

Tick-Borne Diseases in Minnesota

Most tick bites do not result in disease, but it is a good idea to recognize and watch for the early symptoms of the more commonly encountered tickborne diseases in Minnesota. Prompt recognition and treatment are key to a full recovery.

The most common tick-borne illness in Minnesota is Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is a serious condition, and according to the MN Department of Health, new cases of Lyme disease have been increasing over the last few years.

On average, about 1 in 3 adult blacklegged ticks and 1 in 5 blacklegged tick nymphs is infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. If the blacklegged tick is infected, it must be attached for 24–48 hours before it transmits Lyme disease. This is why daily tick checks are so effective — removing a tick promptly can prevent disease transmission even if the tick was infected.

Other illnesses spread by ticks in Minnesota include: Anaplasmosis, caused by bacteria and leading to fever, muscle aches, and fatigue; Babesiosis, a parasitic infection that can cause flu-like symptoms and affect red blood cells; and Powassan virus, a rare but serious viral infection that can cause encephalitis and neurological damage.

For a deeper look at one of the more serious neurological tick-borne conditions, see this overview of tick-borne encephalitis and how it compares to Powassan virus disease.

Important Note: Symptoms from tick-borne illness can appear anywhere from a few days to a month after a bite. If you develop a rash, fever, muscle aches, or fatigue after spending time outdoors, contact your healthcare provider promptly — even if you don’t remember being bitten.

High-Risk Areas and Habitats in Minnesota

Not all parts of Minnesota carry equal tick risk. Knowing where ticks are most concentrated can help you take targeted precautions before heading outdoors.

High-risk areas for tick exposure in Minnesota include the north-central, east-central, and southeastern regions of the state, as well as some northwestern counties. The greatest risk is found within hardwood or mixed hardwood forests, which provide a suitable habitat for blacklegged ticks.

In recent years, most Lyme disease cases reported likely exposure to blacklegged (deer) ticks in east-central, north-central, and southeast Minnesota. However, deer ticks are now found in every forested county in the state, so people should be vigilant while enjoying the outdoors.

High-risk counties with elevated tickborne disease risk include areas such as Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, and many others across the northern and eastern parts of the state. If you are planning outdoor activities in these regions, treat every outing as a tick-exposure event.

In terms of specific habitats, blacklegged ticks live in wooded, brushy areas that provide food and cover for white-footed mice, deer, and other mammals. This habitat also provides the humidity ticks need to survive. Exposure to ticks may be greatest in the woods (especially along trails) and the fringe area between the woods and border.

Your own backyard can also be a risk zone. The numbers of ticks found on a property are influenced by the amount of favorable habitat found there (brushy, grassy areas) and the number of animals, especially white-tailed deer and white-footed mice, that are present.

Pro Tip: The transition zone between your lawn and wooded or brushy areas is a tick hot spot. Creating a clear buffer — like a wood chip or gravel border — between mowed grass and natural vegetation can meaningfully reduce tick encounters near your home.

If you spend time in the field during goose hunting season in Minnesota or other outdoor pursuits in marshy, brushy terrain, be especially diligent about tick checks afterward.

How to Protect Yourself, Children and Pets During Tick Season in Minnesota

Protection during tick season comes down to a layered approach — clothing, repellents, behavior, and thorough body checks all work together. Tick-borne diseases are more easily prevented than cured, so building these habits before you head outdoors is the most effective strategy.

Clothing and Physical Barriers

When venturing into wooded or grassy areas, wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your pants into your socks or boots to prevent ticks from crawling under your clothing. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Long pants, socks or tick gaiters, and appropriate footwear such as closed-toe shoes or boots are strongly encouraged.

Tick Repellents

• DEET-based repellents: Choose an EPA-registered product that contains between 20–30% DEET. Apply repellent on all exposed areas of skin and reapply regularly based on specific product recommendations.
• Permethrin for clothing: Treating shoes, clothing, and gear with products containing at least 0.5% permethrin will protect against mosquitoes and ticks through several washings.
• Alternative EPA-approved options: Products containing picaridin or IR3535 are also registered and effective for those who prefer alternatives to DEET.

Trail and Outdoor Behavior

• When in deer tick habitat, walk in the center of the trail to avoid picking up ticks from grass and brush.
• Avoid sitting directly on logs, leaf piles, or ground cover in wooded areas.
• Save activities like brush-cutting for August, when all stages of deer ticks are at their lowest numbers.

Tick Checks and Post-Outdoor Routine

Check frequently for ticks — at least once a day. Ticks can latch onto any body part but favor warm, moist areas, such as the armpits, behind the knees, around the waist, and in the hairline. Use a mirror to check hard-to-see areas.

Bathe or shower after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be crawling on or attached to you. Tumble dry clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill ticks.

Protecting Children

Children are especially vulnerable during tick season because they often play in grass and wooded areas without thinking about tick exposure. Apply repellent to children’s clothing and exposed skin, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth. Make sure to check children and pets for ticks as well. Pay close attention to the hairline, behind the ears, and the back of the neck when checking children after outdoor play.

Protecting Pets

Pets can bring ticks to you. Dogs and outdoor cats are efficient tick carriers and can introduce ticks into your home after every outdoor outing. Use tick prevention products for pets, such as oral medications, tick collars, or topical treatments. Consult your veterinarian to find the best option for your pet. Check your pets regularly for ticks after walks or outdoor activities, paying attention to areas like the ears, paws, and neck.

For dog owners, see these tips for preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog and learn about animals that eat ticks as a natural way to reduce tick populations in your yard.

Common Mistake: Many people only check visible skin after being outdoors. Ticks frequently hide in hair, behind ears, in the groin, and behind the knees — areas that are easy to overlook in a quick check. Always do a thorough, full-body inspection.

What to Do If You Find a Tick in Minnesota

Finding a tick on yourself, someone else, or a pet is fairly common in Minnesota. The most important thing is to stay calm. Prompt removal is the most critical step in reducing your risk of disease transmission.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers: Use fine-tipped tweezers and grab the tick as close to the surface of your skin as possible. Pull straight upward with steady pressure.
2. Do not twist or jerk: Do not twist or jerk the tick — this can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in your skin.
3. Do not squeeze the body: To avoid contact with the bacteria, if present, do not squeeze the tick’s body.
4. Clean the area: Once the tick is removed, thoroughly clean the bite area using rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
5. Dispose of the tick properly: Do not crush a tick with your fingers. Dispose of it by putting it in alcohol or flushing it down the toilet.
6. Save the tick if possible: If you would like to save the tick for identification by your health care provider, place it in a sealed bag/container or wrap it tightly in tape.

Important Note: Avoid folk remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to “make the tick back out.” These methods do not work reliably and may increase the risk of disease transmission by agitating the tick. Straight, steady removal with tweezers is the safest approach.

What to Watch For After Removal

Monitor the area and your overall health for any symptoms of tick-borne illness. Symptoms can appear a few days up to a month after a tick bite. Watch for a bull’s-eye rash at the bite site, fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, or joint pain. If you develop symptoms of a tick-borne illness after being outside, such as a fever, rash, or flu-like symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Early detection and treatment are key to avoiding long-term health issues.

The Tick Bite Bot is an interactive tool from the Minnesota Department of Health that gives information on removing ticks and determining when to seek health care, if appropriate, after a tick bite. The online mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as tick attachment time and symptoms.

Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in Minnesota

Reporting tick encounters and tick-borne illness in Minnesota serves two important purposes: it helps you get appropriate care, and it contributes to statewide surveillance that helps protect other residents.

Reporting for Tick Identification

You can fill out a Submission Form for Tick Identification (PDF) from the Minnesota Department of Health and mail it in with the tick. They will identify the tick and let you know what it is. By doing so, you will also help monitor tick species that may be affecting people and animals in Minnesota.

The MDH Tick Monitoring Program accepts tick submissions from residents statewide. If you are unsure what type of tick you found, submitting it for identification is a straightforward process and contributes directly to public health surveillance.

Reporting Tick-Borne Illness

Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are reportable conditions in Minnesota. This means that when a healthcare provider diagnoses you with one of these diseases, they are required to report it to the Minnesota Department of Health. You do not need to file a separate report as a patient — your provider handles this.

However, you can also contact MDH directly if you have concerns about a tick bite or illness that has not yet been addressed by a healthcare provider. The MDH Vectorborne Disease Unit monitors tick populations and disease trends across the state year-round.

The MMCD Tick Surveillance Program

The MMCD tick surveillance program is designed to collect, test, and report on tick populations to inform education programs and provide data for local public health departments. MMCD has been trapping small mammals to monitor the progression of ticks across the seven-county Twin Cities metro area for over 30 years. This sensitive technique detects ticks attached to small mammal hosts including mice, chipmunks, and shrews. It enables early tick detection in new areas, allows the measure of disease in the wild, and can be used to predict future tick abundance.

Residents in the Twin Cities metro area can submit tick reports directly to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District to help track unusual species or high-volume tick activity in their area.

Key Insight: Reporting tick sightings and bites isn’t just about your own health — it helps public health officials track the spread of tick populations into new counties, identify emerging diseases, and update risk maps that protect all Minnesotans.

If you spend time outdoors in neighboring states during hunting or recreation seasons, be aware that tick risks and species can vary. Hunters heading to nearby states may find helpful context in guides covering goose hunting season in Wisconsin, goose hunting season in Iowa, or dove hunting season in Minnesota — all of which involve time in tick-prone habitats.