Tick Season in North Dakota: What to Know Before You Head Outdoors

Ticks are one of those outdoor hazards that are easy to overlook until you find one crawling up your leg — or already attached to your skin. In North Dakota, where wide-open prairies, wooded river corridors, and brushy grasslands invite year-round outdoor activity, tick awareness is a genuine health priority.

Understanding tick season in North Dakota — when it starts, which species are active, and what diseases they can carry — puts you in a much stronger position to enjoy the outdoors safely. Whether you are hiking, hunting, or simply spending time in your backyard, the information below gives you everything you need to stay protected.

When Is Tick Season in North Dakota

Ticks start to appear when temperatures are above freezing for multiple days and stay active until late fall, around the months of September or October in North Dakota. That means your window of peak exposure typically spans from early April through early October — a solid six months of outdoor activity where tick awareness matters.

Ticks can be found in some areas year-round, but most ticks are active in warmer months, April through September. The highest risk of tick-borne disease transmission occurs between late spring and early fall, according to Amanda Bakken, an epidemiologist with the North Dakota HHS Public Health Division.

Key Insight: Mild winters can push tick season earlier. In 2024, an NDSU entomologist noted that after a mild winter, both dog ticks and black-legged ticks were expected to emerge by late March — weeks ahead of the typical April start.

Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas and can be active when temperatures are above freezing with little to no snow cover. If spring arrives early in North Dakota, tick activity can follow suit. It is smart to start checking yourself, your children, and your pets as soon as you begin spending time outdoors — even in late March.

For those who enjoy outdoor pursuits like pheasant hunting in North Dakota, being aware of tick activity in spring and fall is especially important, as these seasons overlap with peak tick exposure windows.

Types of Ticks Found in North Dakota

North Dakota is home to several species of ticks. Of all the ticks in North Dakota, the American dog tick and deer tick are the most common. All of North Dakota’s ticks are what’s known as “hard-bodied” ticks, belonging to the Ixodidae family, which comprises about 700 species of ticks worldwide.

Here is a closer look at each species you may encounter:

American Dog Tick (Wood Tick)

The American dog tick is the largest of all ticks found in North Dakota and the most common type of tick encountered in the state. They wait with their front legs stretched out on the tips of leaves or stems for a food source to brush up against their perch — and when that happens, they latch on. This behavior is called “questing,” and it is how most tick encounters happen.

Deer Tick (Black-Legged Tick)

The deer tick is the only tick in North Dakota capable of transmitting Lyme disease. Also known as the black-legged tick, it is perhaps the most worrisome of all ticks in North Dakota and is easily recognized by its black legs — a trait not shared by any other tick in the state.

Cold temperatures do not affect the deer tick, as it will find shelter under leaf litter during the winter months and begin looking for a host again once temperatures are above freezing. This makes it one of the earlier-emerging ticks each spring.

Lone Star Tick

Only a few lone star ticks have been recorded in North Dakota; they have only been found in a handful of counties. They are smaller than American dog ticks but have larger mouthparts, and females have a distinctive white spot on their back, making them easy to identify.

With the warming climate and warming winters moving further north, experts expect the lone star tick to become more common in North Dakota, having already expanded its range from the southeastern United States into the Midwest. To learn more about how ticks reproduce and spread, visit this overview of how ticks reproduce.

Brown Dog Tick

Commonly found ticks in western North Dakota include the American dog tick and the brown dog tick. The brown dog tick is an exception to the typical seasonal pattern — it may feed on dogs year-round. Unlike most ticks, it can complete its entire life cycle indoors, making it a particular concern for dog owners.

Winter Tick

The winter tick is one of the only ticks to remain active in the winter months. Winter ticks are small, with oval bodies and red-brown legs. These ticks are known as “one host” ticks because they feed off only one animal for all three of their life cycles — unlike other species that take at least one host per life cycle. Winter ticks only rarely bite humans, preferring the blood of large animals like deer, elk, and moose.

Pro Tip: Tick populations in North Dakota are actively monitored. In 2023, North Dakota Tick Surveillance through HHS recorded 858 American dog ticks, three deer ticks, and one lone star tick between April and August — data collected with the help of volunteers across the state. Ticks are submitted for identification and testing from April until November.

You can also learn about other insects and wildlife in the state by exploring types of flies in North Dakota and types of bats in North Dakota, which include natural tick predators.

Tick-Borne Diseases in North Dakota

North Dakota Health and Human Services has asked North Dakotans to be aware of ticks and the diseases they carry, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these illnesses can help you act quickly if you or a family member becomes ill after a tick bite.

One of the most distinguished features of tick-borne diseases is a rash. With Lyme disease in particular, you get a characteristic bullseye rash, according to NDHHS epidemiologist Amanda Bakken. Fever, chills, headache, weariness, muscular pains, and joint pain are among the most typical tick-borne illness symptoms, and it is crucial to identify tick-borne infections as early as possible to avoid potentially serious complications.

The eastern border of North Dakota tends to see higher case numbers of Lyme disease, which may be linked to the high case numbers in neighboring Minnesota — with Minnesota confirming 912 Lyme disease cases in 2012 alone, classifying North Dakota as a transitional area.

The lone star tick is known for carrying alpha-gal syndrome, which causes an allergy to red meat — a condition that may become more relevant in North Dakota as this tick species is observed more frequently in the state. For more information on tick-borne encephalitis and related illnesses, see this overview of tick-borne encephalitis.

Important Note: Contact a health care provider if any of these symptoms appear 30 days or less after a tick bite: rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and/or joint swelling and pain. Early treatment significantly improves outcomes for all tick-borne illnesses.

Anaplasmosis was not reportable in North Dakota until 2011. From 2011 to 2017, 50 cases were reported to the North Dakota Department of Health, with 17 of those reported in 2017 alone. This upward trend underscores the importance of tick awareness across the state.

High-Risk Areas and Habitats in North Dakota

Not all outdoor spaces carry the same tick risk. Understanding where ticks prefer to live helps you make smarter choices about where to walk, camp, and let your pets roam.

Ticks are not just present in forests and fields — they can be common and numerous in parks, along jogging paths, and anywhere that wildlife roams. Each medically important species of tick has different habitat needs.

• Tall grasslands and prairies: North Dakota’s native grasslands are prime questing habitat. American dog ticks are especially common along deer trails through grassy areas in spring and early summer.
• Wooded river corridors: The wooded bottomlands along the Missouri, Red, and Sheyenne rivers offer the shaded, moist conditions that deer ticks prefer. Blacklegged ticks live in shady, moist areas at ground level and cling to tall grass, brush, and shrubs, usually no more than 18–24 inches off the ground.
• Forest edges and shrubby transition zones: The boundary between open fields and wooded areas concentrates tick activity, as wildlife regularly moves through these corridors.
• Residential yards and parks: Keeping yards mowed and litter-free is important, as ticks can be found around homes and neighborhoods.
• Hunting and recreational areas: Areas frequented by deer and other large mammals carry higher tick densities. If you enjoy dove hunting in North Dakota, be mindful of ticks in brushy field edges and wetland borders during the season.

In North Dakota, tick complaints have varied by year, with drier conditions reducing reports. When spring arrives with good moisture and lush green growth, tick complaints increase significantly, according to NDSU Research Specialist Patrick Beauzay. Wetter springs tend to produce higher tick populations, so pay extra attention in years following heavy spring rains.

Pro Tip: If you want to find ticks — or more importantly, know where to avoid them — simply find a deer trail through grass or brush in spring or early summer. These corridors are the highest-density tick zones in North Dakota. Walk in the center of trails whenever possible.

Nature provides some help when it comes to tick control. Certain wildlife species help keep tick populations in check. Learn more about animals that eat ticks and how they contribute to natural tick management in your area.

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

Prevention is your best defense during tick season. A few consistent habits dramatically reduce your risk of tick bites and tick-borne illness for everyone in your family — including your four-legged companions.

Protecting Yourself and Children

It is a good idea to wear long pants and long sleeves if you plan on hiking in wooded areas, and to stay on the center of trails away from tall brush. Ticks in North Dakota are best avoided by wearing light-colored clothing treated with insect repellent — light colors make it easier to spot ticks before they attach.

1. Apply EPA-registered repellent: Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Products containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 are effective options. Apply from the waist down when walking through tick habitat.
2. Treat clothing with permethrin: Treating your clothes prior to venturing out in tick-prone areas is one way to help prevent tick bites. Permethrin-treated clothing kills ticks on contact and remains effective through multiple washes.
3. Do a full body check after every outing: Check your body and clothing for ticks after coming indoors. When doing a body check, search in and around the hair, in and around the ears, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, between the legs, and the back of the knees. Be sure to check your child, too.
4. Shower soon after coming indoors: Showering within two hours of coming indoors can reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases, as it may help wash off unattached ticks and provides a good opportunity to do a tick check.
5. Toss clothing in the dryer: Placing clothes in a hot dryer for 10 minutes after returning from tick habitat kills any ticks that may be clinging to fabric.
6. Stay on trail centers: Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with ticks.

Protecting Your Pets

Pets need protection from ticks just as much as people do, because ticks can infect dogs and cats with disease organisms that make them sick — and dogs and cats can also suffer pain and itching from tick bites.

• Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products: Talk to your vet to choose the right product based on your pet’s size, health, and lifestyle. Options include topical treatments, oral medications, and tick collars.
• Check pets after every outdoor outing: Check behind ears, under the collar, around the tail, between toes, and under legs — especially after walks, hikes, or time outdoors.
• Check pets daily during tick season: Check your pets daily for ticks, especially after they spend time outdoors, and remove a tick right away if one is found on your pet.
• Keep your yard tidy: Mow the lawn regularly and remove leaf litter, tall grasses, and brush around your home. Use pet-safe tick control products in your yard if needed.

For detailed guidance on keeping your dog safe from tick-borne illness, visit this resource on preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog. If you own one of the popular dog breeds in North Dakota, be especially mindful of tick checks after outdoor activity, as many working and sporting breeds spend significant time in tick habitat.

Common Mistake: Many pet owners check only the dog’s back and sides. Ticks prefer warm, hidden spots — always check between toes, inside the ears, under the collar, and around the groin area. A tick you miss on your dog can easily transfer to a person in the household.

Ticks can also be brought into the home on gear, clothing, and pets, then attach to a person later — so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks when returning from any outdoor outing.

What to Do If You Find a Tick in North Dakota

Finding a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet is understandably alarming — but staying calm and acting promptly is the most important thing you can do. The faster you remove an attached tick, the lower your risk of disease transmission.

Safe Tick Removal Steps

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers: If a tick is attached to the skin, prompt removal is important to lower the risk of tick-borne disease transmission. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick and pull upward with steady, even pressure.
2. Pull straight up — never twist: You never want to twist the tick, as this can snap off the mouthpart — which can still cause disease as well as secondary infections.
3. Clean the bite area thoroughly: After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and dispose of the 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.
4. Save the tick if possible: Placing the tick in a sealed plastic bag or container with the date and location noted can be useful if you develop symptoms later. This can also help with identification and reporting.
5. Monitor for symptoms: Watch for signs of illness in the days and weeks following a bite. Early symptoms of most tick-borne diseases include fever, rash, fatigue, and muscle aches.

Important Note: There are several tick removal techniques that are not recommended, including using nail polish, petroleum jelly, or burning the tick while it is attached to your skin. These methods have been proven ineffective and may actually increase your risk of infection by stressing the tick.

Understanding how ticks reproduce and develop can also help you better understand why prompt removal matters — and why checking yourself after every outing is so important during tick season.

When to See a Doctor

Not every tick bite leads to illness, but it is important to know the warning signs. After spending time outdoors, anyone who experiences symptoms that could be caused by a tick-borne illness should contact a doctor. Seek medical attention if you notice a bullseye-shaped rash, develop a fever, experience unusual fatigue, or have joint or muscle pain within 30 days of a known or suspected tick bite.

Most tick-borne diseases respond well to antibiotics when caught early. If Lyme disease goes untreated, the disease can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system — but in most cases, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in North Dakota

North Dakota has an active tick surveillance program, and your observations can contribute directly to public health efforts across the state. Reporting tick encounters helps health officials track species distribution, monitor for emerging threats, and issue timely warnings.

How to Report a Tick in North Dakota

North Dakotans can help by sending pictures and location information about ticks they find by emailing NDTicks@nd.gov. Tick identification and surveillance helps HHS identify the types of ticks and tick-borne diseases present in North Dakota.

When you submit a tick report, try to include:

• A clear, close-up photograph of the tick (top and bottom views if possible)
• The county and specific location where the tick was found
• The date the tick was found or removed
• Whether the tick was attached or crawling (and if attached, how long it may have been feeding)
• The species of host (human, dog, cat, deer, etc.)

The Department of Health and Human Services keeps track of ticks reported through passive sampling from partnerships with veterinarians, North Dakota Game and Fish Department staff, and North Dakota Wildlife Services staff, as well as from some active sampling by the department.

Reporting a Tick-Borne Illness

If you are diagnosed with a tick-borne illness, your healthcare provider is required to report confirmed cases to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. You can also contact your local public health unit directly. For more information on tick prevention and tick-borne diseases, visit hhs.nd.gov/health/diseases/tickborne.

Key Insight: Lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, and brown dog ticks are all on the North Dakota HHS radar. There is not yet enough evidence to show whether these ticks are moving into North Dakota or are simply stragglers that arrived attached to animals or people. Reporting unusual tick sightings helps build that evidence base.

North Dakota’s tick surveillance program relies heavily on public participation. With the assistance of voluntarily participating individuals from all around the state, HHS is conducting ongoing tick monitoring. Every photo and report you submit contributes to a more accurate picture of tick activity statewide.

Tick season in North Dakota is a reality of outdoor life in the Great Plains — but it does not have to keep you indoors. With consistent prevention habits, regular tick checks, and prompt action when bites occur, you can enjoy everything the state has to offer while keeping your family safe. Whether you are out for a hunting trip, exploring North Dakota’s wildlife, or simply spending a weekend in the park, a little preparation goes a long way.