Wyoming Tick Season: When It Starts, What to Watch For, and How to Stay Safe
March 31, 2026
Tick season in Wyoming can catch even seasoned outdoor enthusiasts off guard — especially now that warming winters are pushing tick activity earlier into the year than most people expect. This past winter was one of the warmest in Wyoming history, and milder winters mean fair-weather critters like ticks are out and ready to bite earlier than usual.
Whether you’re hiking the Bighorn Mountains, fishing along the Snake River, or simply letting your dog run in the backyard, understanding when ticks are active and how to protect yourself can make a real difference for your health and your family’s well-being. This guide covers everything you need to know — from peak season dates and tick species to disease risks, removal steps, and how to report a bite.
Key Insight: Ticks can be active in Wyoming most of the year, but spring and summer are typically the peak seasons when tick-related illnesses are reported.
When Is Tick Season in Wyoming
Past records show that people in Wyoming typically start seeking medical help due to tick bites in May. However, that window is shifting. Another consequence of Wyoming’s abnormally warm winter is a much earlier tick season, with entomologist Mikenna Smith noting that ticks are already out and it’s likely there will be more of them this year.
Favorable conditions for ticks are usually daytime temperatures consistently above 50 degrees — a description that fits most of Wyoming for the last several weeks, if not months, during the warmest winter season on record. In practical terms, that means you should be checking for ticks starting in early spring, not just when summer arrives.
Tick populations usually drop off dramatically by July or August, when it becomes too hot and dry for them to survive en masse. If the tick population peaks in April, they could be gone by July — but that’s not a guarantee.
Pro Tip: As entomologist Mikenna Smith puts it, “Ticks don’t really keep a calendar like we do.” Basically, if there’s not much snow and it’s in the 50s, ticks are out. Start your tick prevention habits as early as March in mild years.
If you’re planning outdoor activities like trout fishing in Wyoming or dove hunting season, be aware that the fields, riverbanks, and brushy terrain you’ll be moving through are prime tick habitat during the active season.
Types of Ticks Found in Wyoming
Even a state as cold and dry as Wyoming is home to ticks — in fact, there are two very common species in the state. Knowing how to identify them helps you understand your risk and respond appropriately.
Rocky Mountain Wood Tick (Dermacentor andersoni)
The most common tick species across most of Wyoming is the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni). It’s the one you’re most likely to find crawling up your pant leg when you get back in your car after a hike. Rocky Mountain wood ticks live primarily in the Rocky Mountain belt and are almost indistinguishable from American dog ticks. They are the most common ticks in Wyoming.
Colorado tick fever and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are the most common tick-borne diseases in Wyoming, and both are transmitted by the Rocky Mountain wood tick.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
American dog ticks are the largest ticks in Wyoming. They look similar to Rocky Mountain wood ticks and transmit some of the same diseases. American dog ticks are the primary vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The American dog tick does occur in Wyoming but doesn’t do great here because of the cold, dry climate. However, you’ll still find them because people and animals move them in, and they can do okay during summer months.
Deer Tick / Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Commonly known as blacklegged ticks, deer ticks are few and far between in Wyoming. This species is much more common in neighboring Colorado, though they’re not unheard of here. Deer ticks are the only type of tick capable of transmitting Lyme disease in Wyoming.
As WDH epidemiologist Courtney Tillman notes, “Lyme disease is a topic of interest nationally, which can be a serious threat in some locations. However, the ticks that spread Lyme disease are not known to live in Wyoming.”
Other Species
Rabbit ticks get their name from their preferred host. These ticks are very small and prey mainly on small mammals — their favorite blood comes from hares and rabbits, though they’ll also bite woodchucks, prairie dogs, badgers, and foxes. Groundhog ticks, also known as woodchuck ticks, are also very small and rarely seen by humans. They feed on weasels, dogs, raccoons, foxes, woodchucks, skunks, and porcupines, and mostly live in or around animal dens and nests.
To learn more about how ticks reproduce and complete their life cycle, including how that affects their seasonal activity, that background knowledge can sharpen your awareness throughout the year.
Important Note: Wyoming is home to multiple tick species that have medical or veterinary significance. Additional species, both native and invasive to the U.S., are expanding their ranges throughout the country — some of which have been documented in Wyoming or neighboring states.
Tick-Borne Diseases in Wyoming
Diseases sometimes spread by infected ticks in Wyoming include tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and Colorado tick fever (CTF). While Wyoming’s reported case numbers are typically low, the outcomes can occasionally be serious, which makes early awareness and prompt treatment important.
Colorado Tick Fever (CTF)
Wyoming has historically had the highest incidence rate of Colorado Tick Fever in the United States. Colorado tick fever usually causes fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and occasionally a rash. Symptoms tend to come in waves and can mimic the flu, which is why it’s sometimes overlooked.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)
Initial RMSF symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, lack of appetite, and severe headache. Later signs and symptoms may include rash, abdominal pain, joint pain, and diarrhea. RMSF is treated with antibiotics; however, if treatment is delayed, RMSF can be deadly. Do not wait to see a doctor if you suspect RMSF after a tick bite.
RMSF is transmitted through the bite of an American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, or brown dog tick. There is no vaccine to prevent RMSF.
Tularemia
Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever” or “deer fly fever,” frequently affects rabbits, hares, and rodents and has been associated with rabbit die-offs. People may acquire tularemia when bitten by infected ticks, deer flies, or horse flies. It can also be transmitted by handling infected animals or through ingestion or contact with untreated contaminated water or insufficiently cooked meat.
Tularemia symptoms include fever, swollen and painful lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, skin ulcers, and diarrhea. If the bacteria are inhaled, symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough, progressive weakness, and pneumonia.
Common Mistake: Many people assume that because Lyme disease is so widely covered in the news, it must be a concern in Wyoming. Lyme disease is a nationally significant concern, but fortunately, ticks that transmit Lyme disease are not found in Wyoming. Focus your attention on the diseases that are actually present in the state.
For a deeper look at one tick-borne illness that affects travelers and people in other regions, you can read about tick-borne encephalitis, which is not present in Wyoming but is relevant for those traveling internationally.
High-Risk Areas and Habitats in Wyoming
The Wyoming Department of Health warns that ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or on animals. People can come into contact with ticks when walking, working, or playing outdoors or when handling dead or live animals.
Across Wyoming, certain environments carry a significantly higher risk of tick exposure than others. Here’s a breakdown of the habitats you should be most cautious in:
- Tall grass and meadows: The risk for tick exposure is much lower on a manicured lawn or paved running trail than in tall grass. Open meadows with dense vegetation are prime questing territory.
- Brushy and shrubby terrain: People can be exposed to ticks when walking through, playing, or sitting in brushy and grassy areas, or when handling certain animals. This includes sage flats and riparian brush zones common throughout Wyoming.
- Wooded areas and forest edges: Transitional zones between open meadow and forested terrain are particularly active areas for ticks seeking hosts.
- Animal dens and nesting sites: Groundhog ticks feed on a wide range of mammals and mostly live in or around animal dens and nests — an important consideration if you’re working or recreating near wildlife habitat.
- Teton County and northwest Wyoming: The chances of coming in contact with ticks in Teton County are highest during the summer months, specifically May, June, and July, while navigating through tall grasses or brush or while handling certain animals.
- Your own backyard: Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
Pro Tip: When hiking or walking trails, stay in the center of the path rather than brushing against vegetation on the edges. Ticks hook onto a blade of grass or a leaf with only a few of their legs while the other appendages wait for a warm body to pass by — this patient waiting game is called questing. When the moment arises, they climb onto their host.
How to Protect Yourself, Children and Pets During Tick Season in Wyoming
Prevention is your most effective tool during Wyoming tick season. A few consistent habits — before, during, and after outdoor activity — can dramatically reduce your risk of a tick bite and the diseases that come with it.
Before You Go Outside
- Apply insect repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, such as those containing 20 percent or more DEET and/or picaridin.
- Treat outdoor clothing and gear with products containing 0.5 percent permethrin.
- Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see ticks crawling on your clothing.
- Tuck pant legs into socks and shirt into pants to reduce exposed skin.
While You’re Outdoors
- Avoid brushy areas with high grass. When hiking, walk in the center of trails.
- Perform periodic checks on yourself and children during longer outings.
- Be especially careful when handling animals, including wildlife and livestock.
When You Return Home
- Upon returning from potentially tick-infested areas, shower and search yourself and children for ticks, and remove if found.
- To kill ticks on dry clothing, tumble dry on high heat for 10 minutes after being in tick areas. If clothes require washing, use hot water.
- Check all gear, backpacks, and equipment before bringing them inside.
Protecting Your Pets
Tick-borne diseases are not just a human concern — they can also affect pets. Cases of tick paralysis in dogs have already been diagnosed in Teton County. Protecting your animals is just as important as protecting yourself.
- Check pets for ticks and use tick control products recommended by veterinarians.
- Talk to your veterinarian or check pet stores for products labeled specifically for ticks. Make sure the product label says it is approved for the animal, because animals can react poorly to products not designed for them.
- Check pets thoroughly after every outdoor outing, paying attention to ears, paws, and around collars.
For more detailed guidance on keeping your dog safe, explore these 7 tips for preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog. You can also learn more about animals that eat ticks and how nature provides some natural tick control in outdoor environments.
Key Insight: Always follow product instructions when using permethrin and insect repellents. Permethrin should only be applied to clothing and gear — never directly to skin.
What to Do If You Find a Tick in Wyoming
Finding a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet can feel alarming — but staying calm and acting quickly is the right approach. The sooner you remove the tick, the lower your risk of disease transmission.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
- Use fine-tipped tweezers. If you find a tick that’s embedded, remove it as soon as possible using tweezers. Pull up on the tick steadily and pull it out. Using olive oil is not recommended.
- Pull straight and steady. Avoid twisting or jerking, which can cause the mouthparts to break off and remain in the skin.
- Clean the area. The best way to deal with a tick bite is to get the tick off you and treat the area with rubbing alcohol, antibacterial soap, and ointment.
- Dispose of the tick safely. Place it in a sealed bag, submerge it in alcohol, or flush it down the toilet. Do not crush it with your fingers.
Common Mistake: Things like hitting a tick with a hot match, lighting it on fire, or painting it with fingernail polish greatly increase the chances of the tick expelling its gut contents into you — which can increase your risk of disease. Stick to tweezers only.
After Removal — Watch for Symptoms
When a tick finds a host like a human, it takes a little while to find the perfect place to bite. But once it does, any diseases that tick is carrying could be transferred to the host — in most cases within a few hours. After removing a tick, monitor yourself or your child for the following symptoms over the next several weeks:
- Fever or chills
- Severe headache or muscle aches
- Fatigue or weakness
- Rash (especially a spotted rash associated with RMSF)
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Nausea, vomiting, or joint pain
If any of these symptoms appear after a tick bite, contact a healthcare provider promptly. The Wyoming Department of Health’s tularemia, RMSF, and CTF web pages each include a “tick bite assessment” tool that shows how to safely remove a tick and explains when it’s important to see a doctor after being bitten.
Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in Wyoming
Reporting tick encounters and tick-borne illness in Wyoming isn’t just good for your own health record — it actively contributes to statewide research and disease surveillance efforts that benefit everyone in the state.
Report to Your Healthcare Provider
If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, see a doctor and let them know about the tick exposure. Tick-borne illnesses like tularemia, RMSF, and CTF are reportable diseases in Wyoming, meaning healthcare providers are required to notify the Wyoming Department of Health when cases are confirmed. This tracking helps the state monitor disease trends and respond appropriately.
Submit Ticks for Identification and Testing
The Teton County Weed & Pest District (TCWP) is interested in collecting ticks that people come across from anywhere in Wyoming. This passive surveillance program is part of a large surveillance effort to learn more about tick species richness, diversity, abundance, distribution, and tick-borne pathogen presence.
TCWP launched a tick surveillance program in 2024 with the goal of better understanding tick species diversity and distribution and the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in Teton County and Wyoming. The program includes both active surveillance and passive surveillance — and through the passive surveillance program, the public has submitted an astonishing 442 ticks so far for identification and pathogen testing.
Members of the public are welcome to join the citizen science field surveillance efforts, and individuals may submit ticks they find through the TCWP Passive Tick Surveillance Program.
Where to Find Official Resources
Information from the Wyoming Department of Health about tick-borne illnesses, along with other infectious diseases, can be found at the WDH infectious disease epidemiology unit’s disease page. You can also visit the WDH pages dedicated to Colorado tick fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia for disease-specific guidance and tick bite assessment tools.
Pro Tip: If you find a tick while outdoors in Wyoming, save it in a sealed bag or container before submitting it to the TCWP. Even dead ticks can provide valuable data for the state’s ongoing surveillance efforts. People collect ticks around the state and mail them to researchers, dead or alive.
Tick Season and Outdoor Planning
Staying tick-aware doesn’t mean staying indoors. Wyoming’s outdoor spaces — from its rivers and mountains to its open plains — are worth exploring all season long. Whether you’re heading out for a day of fishing or a fall hunting trip, building tick checks into your routine is a simple, effective habit that keeps you safe without limiting your time outside.
Wyoming’s reported case numbers from tick-borne diseases are typically low, but the state consistently sees activity each year — and unfortunately, the results can sometimes be severe. Taking a few extra minutes before and after outdoor activities is a small investment with meaningful health benefits for you, your children, and your pets.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions related to tick bites or tick-borne illness.