Tick Season in Mississippi: What to Know Before You Head Outdoors

Mississippi’s warm, humid climate is ideal for spending time outside — but it also creates near-perfect conditions for ticks. Whether you’re hiking through the Natchez Trace, working in your backyard, or taking your dog out for a walk, ticks are a year-round concern in the Magnolia State.

Understanding when tick season peaks, which species are active, and how to protect yourself and your family can make a real difference in your health and peace of mind. This guide breaks it all down so you can enjoy the Mississippi outdoors safely and confidently.

When Is Tick Season in Mississippi?

Ticks are most active between April and September, the warmer months. However, Mississippi’s mild winters mean that tick activity rarely comes to a complete stop. These tiny invaders thrive in Mississippi’s warm, humid climate, and temperatures seldom drop low enough to eliminate them entirely.

The disease risk from ticks occurs throughout the United States during months when ground temperatures reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit or more and ticks are active. In Mississippi, that window is nearly the entire calendar year. Professional tick control programs in the state commonly run from March through October to account for this extended season.

Spring — particularly March through May — marks the start of the most intense period of tick activity. Summer brings peak exposure risk, especially for children playing outdoors. Mississippi has far fewer cases of tick-borne illness than surrounding states, with the bulk of illnesses concentrated in the northeastern U.S. Still, that doesn’t mean you should let your guard down.

Key Insight: Mississippi’s tick season is longer than most people expect. Even in winter, mild stretches of weather can bring ticks back out. Year-round vigilance — especially for pet owners — is the safest approach.

Scientists are also noticing shifts in tick behavior. For the first time ever, adult blacklegged ticks — the species that transmits Lyme disease — were discovered in Mississippi in the summer of 2022, not just in one spot, but in nine counties throughout the state. Previously, adult-stage blacklegged ticks only showed up in the fall. This emerging trend is a reminder that tick season in Mississippi is evolving, and staying informed matters more than ever.

Types of Ticks Found in Mississippi

There are a whopping 19 species of ticks in Mississippi. While most of them rarely interact with humans, several species pose a direct health risk. Mississippi is home to five out of seven different types of ticks commonly found across the country. Here’s a closer look at the most significant ones you’re likely to encounter.

Lone Star Tick

One of Mississippi’s most common ticks is the Lone Star tick. Though small in size, this tick can cause big problems. The Lone Star tick is named for the distinct silvery-white spot on the back of the adult female. These ticks live in wooded, brushy areas and are especially active from early spring through fall. They don’t carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but they are the main vector for human monocytic ehrlichiosis. They are also linked to Alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-triggered red meat allergy.

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

American dog ticks are one of the most common ticks in Mississippi and in North America. These ticks feed mostly on dogs, though they will attach to anything that makes itself available. Human bites can turn deadly — the American dog tick is the number one vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the eastern United States. These ticks in Mississippi live mostly in forests, which is where they get their nickname, the wood tick.

Black-Legged Tick (Deer Tick)

Another common species in Mississippi is the deer tick, commonly known as the black-legged tick. Deer ticks have long, ovoid bodies and large heads that are clearly visible from above. Males and females have fairly different appearances, though both have black legs. Black-legged ticks are easy to recognize as they’re the only ticks in Mississippi to have black legs. The blacklegged tick can carry not only the bacteria for Lyme disease but also pathogens for other human diseases such as anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis.

Gulf Coast Tick

Another common tick is the Gulf Coast Tick. The Gulf Coast tick occurs statewide and is most common from late spring through fall, especially in July and August. Gulf Coast ticks also transmit Rickettsia parkeri, which can lead to a milder form of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and localized skin death (necrosis) at the bite site. While humans aren’t their preferred host, bites do occur.

Spinose Ear Tick

Spinose ear ticks, as their name suggests, attach mainly to the ears. These ticks in Mississippi prefer drinking the blood of cattle, not people. Only young spinose ear ticks sometimes bite people, though this is rare. Spinose ear ticks are much more likely to attach to the ears of dogs, cats, deer, horses, sheep, and mules. If you have livestock or outdoor pets, this species warrants special attention. You can learn more about how ticks reproduce and why populations can grow quickly under the right conditions.

Pro Tip: When identifying a tick after removal, note its color, size, and any distinctive markings like the Lone Star tick’s white dot. This information helps your doctor determine which diseases to screen for.

Tick-Borne Diseases in Mississippi

Ticks can cause over 15 different types of illnesses. In Mississippi, several of these diseases are regularly reported to health authorities. Knowing the symptoms and which ticks carry which diseases gives you a major advantage in getting timely treatment.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a potentially fatal infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick. Up to 100 probable cases of RMSF are identified each year in Mississippi. Infection is characterized by the sudden onset of moderate to high fever lasting up to three weeks, severe headache, fatigue, deep muscle pain, chills, and sometimes a rash. When present, the rash begins on the legs or arms, may include the soles of the feet or palms of the hands, and may spread rapidly to the trunk or the rest of the body.

Early treatment with antibiotics lowers the risk of death to between 3 and 5 percent. Untreated cases have a 13 to 25 percent rate of death. This is a disease where acting quickly is not optional — it is essential.

Lyme Disease

Physicians do, indeed, diagnose Lyme disease or a Lyme-like illness in the South, and about 5 to 50 cases of Lyme-like illness are reported to the Mississippi Department of Health every year. The early symptoms of Lyme disease are mild, mimic many other illnesses, and are often overlooked. Flu-like symptoms may include headaches, swollen lymph nodes, stiff and painful joints and muscles, fatigue, and low-grade fever.

About 50 percent of people with Lyme disease don’t remember receiving a tick bite, which is why it’s important to report any suspicious symptoms to your doctor even without a confirmed bite. You can read more about other serious tick-borne diseases to understand the broader spectrum of risks these parasites carry.

Important Note: If you develop a fever, headache, or rash within two weeks of spending time outdoors in Mississippi, tell your doctor about potential tick exposure — even if you don’t recall being bitten.

Alpha-gal Syndrome

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney pointed to expanded research on conditions like Alpha-gal syndrome, which causes allergies to certain meats after a tick bite. This emerging condition, triggered primarily by the Lone Star tick, can cause serious allergic reactions — including anaphylaxis — after consuming beef, pork, or lamb. It’s increasingly recognized as a significant health concern in the Southeast.

High-Risk Areas and Habitats in Mississippi

You don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to encounter ticks in Mississippi. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Both ticks and fleas thrive in shaded, moist environments — exactly the kind of conditions often found at the edges of Mississippi lawns or around dense landscaping.

High-risk environments across the state include:

• Hardwood and pine forests — especially in central and northern Mississippi, where American dog ticks and Lone Star ticks are abundant
• Coastal scrublands and marshes — Gulf Coast tick territory along the southern counties
• Tall grass fields and overgrown pastures — prime habitat for Lone Star ticks seeking large mammal hosts
• Trail edges and woodland borders — ticks position themselves on vegetation at transition zones where animals pass
• Backyard leaf litter and brush piles — even suburban yards present real risk, especially near wooded borders
• Deer-heavy areas — wherever white-tailed deer roam, tick populations tend to be higher

Ticks can detect your body heat, breath, body odor, and vibrations. They often sit on leaves in well-used paths to quickly climb onto you as you pass by. This behavior, called “questing,” is why trail edges and vegetation borders are particularly dangerous.

If you spend time hunting in Mississippi — whether pursuing deer or dove — you’re regularly moving through prime tick habitat. Hunters should be especially vigilant during early and late season when ticks remain active. For reference on outdoor activity seasons in Mississippi, see our guides on deer hunting season in Mississippi and dove hunting season in Mississippi.

Common Mistake: Many people assume their manicured backyard is tick-free. In Mississippi, even a small wooded border or leaf pile near a fence line can harbor ticks. Check yourself after any time spent outdoors — even in your own yard.

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

Prevention is the most effective tool you have against tick bites. A few consistent habits dramatically reduce your risk, whether you’re spending an afternoon at a state park or simply taking out the trash.

Protecting Yourself

Wear white or light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants so the tiny ticks are easier to see. Tuck long pants into your socks and boots. Wear a head covering or hat for added protection. Apply insect repellent containing DEET (30 percent or less) to exposed skin (except the face). Repellents containing permethrin can be applied to outer clothing while in locations where ticks may be common.

After coming indoors: perform a full-body tick check, especially behind the knees, around the waist, and in the scalp. Shower soon after being outdoors to wash off unattached ticks. Toss outdoor clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10–15 minutes to kill ticks.

Protecting Children

Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Edney recommended twice daily tick checks for children going outside for long periods of time during summer, once in the morning and once in the evening. Use products with no more than 10% DEET on children. Pay special attention to the hairline, ears, back of the neck, and behind the knees when doing tick checks on kids.

In case-controlled studies, ages 5 to 9 are at the highest risk group by age for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, so extra caution with young children is especially warranted. Edney also says that the risk of disease shouldn’t dissuade people from enjoying all that the Mississippi outdoors has to offer. “It’s part of being a kid in Mississippi. Let them play, but let them play safely.”

Protecting Your Pets

If you let your pets outdoors, check them often for ticks. Ticks can enter the home on pets and fall off in search of a human host. Dogs and cats that spend time outdoors should be on veterinarian-approved tick prevention products year-round, given Mississippi’s extended tick season. Our detailed guide on preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog covers the best protection strategies for your canine companion.

There are also natural allies in the fight against ticks. Learning about animals that eat ticks can help you understand ecological approaches to tick population management around your property.

Protecting Your Yard

• Keep your grass mowed and keep weeds cut to make the area unattractive to ticks.
• Place a 3-foot wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration.
• Remove leaf litter and brush piles from around the home’s perimeter
• Consider professional tick control treatments during peak months (March–October)

What to Do If You Find a Tick in Mississippi

Finding a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet can be alarming, but staying calm and acting quickly is the best approach. The good news is that most ticks are slow to attach, and rarely transmit disease until they have been attached for several hours.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

1. Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick. Doing so could cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
3. If mouthparts remain, try to remove them with tweezers. If not possible, leave the area alone and allow the skin to heal naturally.
4. Wash the bite area and your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic to the bite site.
5. You may want to put the tick in a jar of rubbing alcohol labeled with the date and location of the bite in case you seek medical attention and your physician wishes to have the tick identified.
6. Dispose of a live tick by putting it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag or container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet.

Important Note: Never crush a tick with your fingers, burn it with a match, or apply petroleum jelly or nail polish to try to suffocate it. These methods can cause the tick to release harmful fluids into the bite wound.

What to Watch for After a Tick Bite

Symptoms of tick-borne illness usually appear between 3 and 14 days after the bite of an infected tick. Monitor the bite site and your overall health during this window. All tick-borne illnesses can cause fever. They can also cause headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and rashes.

If a tick is enlarged and appears to have been attached for longer than a few hours, and especially if a rash similar to a bullseye target surrounds the problem area, medical attention should immediately be sought. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own — early treatment is critical for diseases like RMSF.

Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in Mississippi

Reporting tick bites and suspected tick-borne illnesses serves two purposes: it helps you get the care you need, and it contributes to public health surveillance that protects all Mississippians. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) tracks tick-borne disease cases statewide.

When to Contact a Doctor

Any person experiencing illness with a fever following a tick bite should consult his or her physician and advise the physician of the tick bite. Tell your healthcare provider what your symptoms are and the geographic region you were bitten in. This information helps your doctor narrow down which diseases to test for based on local tick species and known disease patterns.

Anyone who has spent time outdoors and who comes down with a flu-like illness in summer should suspect a tick-borne disease such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had a recent tick bite.

How to Report to Mississippi Health Authorities

The Mississippi State Department of Health Epidemiology Division handles tick-borne disease reporting and surveillance. You can contact the Mississippi State Department of Health at 601-576-7725. You can also visit the MSDH website at msdh.ms.gov for current guidance on tick-borne diseases including RMSF and Lyme disease.

If you’re a healthcare provider, tick-borne diseases including RMSF and ehrlichiosis are reportable conditions in Mississippi. Prompt reporting helps the state identify clusters of illness, track emerging tick species activity — like the unexpected summer appearance of blacklegged ticks documented in 2022 — and allocate public health resources where they’re needed most.

Pro Tip: Save the tick you removed in a sealed container or zip-lock bag. Some labs and health departments can test the tick itself for pathogens, which can provide valuable information if you develop symptoms in the days that follow.

CDC Resources

In addition to state resources, the CDC’s tick information portal offers up-to-date guidance on tick identification, disease symptoms, prevention, and treatment. The CDC also maintains national tick surveillance data, which is useful for understanding how Mississippi compares to other states in terms of tick-borne disease burden. For additional reading on the broader impact of tick-borne illness, the Mississippi State University Extension Service provides state-specific guidance on tick species and health risks.

Tick season in Mississippi is long, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous. By knowing when ticks are active, which species are present, and how to protect yourself and your family, you can enjoy everything the state’s great outdoors has to offer — from hunting and hiking to backyard barbecues — with confidence and calm.