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When Are Ticks Most Active?

Warm temperatures and humidity create ideal conditions for ticks, which is why spring and summer are peak seasons in most parts of the United States. When temperatures rise early in the year, ticks become active, thriving in wooded or grassy areas where they use vegetation to “quest” for and latch onto passing animals or people. During this time, both people and pets are at a higher risk of tick bites, as increased tick activity coincides with more outdoor activity.

Generally, tick activity peaks between March and September in most U.S. regions,but encounters with ticks- and the diseases they carry– can still occur outside of this period.

Why Cold Weather Doesn’t Mean Zero Risk

Many people assume ticks are only a warm-weather concern, but that’s not necessarily the case. In milder climates, the fall months (September through November) can still see significant tick activity. In many areas especially where deer ticks are common) , a second peak occurs before activity gradually declines as winter sets in.

It’s important to remember that cold weather doesn’t actually kill ticks. Lower temperatures and harsh winter conditions simply makes them less active and prompts them to shroud under leaf litter or snow. While ticks generally remain dormant until the weather warms again, on milder winter days without snow cover, it’s still possible to encounter an active tick.

Can Ticks Be Active Year-Round?

If conditions that trigger dormancy don’t occur, ticks can remain active throughout the year. This is most common in warmer regions with mild winters, such as parts of the southern United States.

The timing of tick dormancy is highly weather-dependent and varies from year to year. If temperatures don’t drop below freezing until later, or if warm spring weather arrives early, ticks may enter or exit dormancy sooner than usual.

Protecting Yourself from Ticks Year-Round

Preventing tick bites requires consistent care throughout most of the year. Anytime you enter a tick’s natural habitat — whether gardening, hiking, or walking your dog — it’s important to take precautions:

  • Keep your lawn well-trimmed and remove leaf litter to make your yard less inviting to ticks.
  • Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time in grassy or wooded areas.
  • If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, and clean the bite area thoroughly.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing
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Understanding Lyme Disease: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment

How Do I Know If I Have Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, heart, and brain. It becomes harder to treat the longer it goes undetected, and symptoms can vary. It’s important to remember that not every tick bite leads to Lyme disease. Only deer ticks and western blacklegged ticks carry Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes it. The risk of infection increases the longer an infected tick remains attached.

Early Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease

The incubation period for Lyme disease—the time between infection and the first symptoms—ranges from 3 to 30 days. Early signs can vary, but there are several classic symptoms to watch for.

The most recognizable is the erythema migrans or “bull’s-eye” rash, which often expands from the tick bite and may appear elsewhere on the body. This rash develops in about 80% of infected people within the first month.

Other early symptoms can resemble the flu, such as headache, body aches, fever, and fatigue. Because Lyme affects everyone differently, some may experience mild symptoms while others develop more severe ones. According to the CDC, common early symptoms include:

  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Increasing headaches
  • Bell’s palsy (muscle weakness in the face)
  • Heart palpitations
  • Sleep disturbances

If you have ongoing symptoms or concerns, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider.

Lyme Disease Testing

Serology testing is usually the first step your healthcare provider will take when diagnosing Lyme disease. This blood test looks for antibodies—proteins your body produces in response to infection. The CDC recommends a two-tier testing process, meaning both tests must be positive to confirm a Lyme diagnosis.

It’s important to note that testing has its limitations. If the test is done too soon—within the first 2–3 weeks of infection—it may return a false negative, since antibodies take time to develop. On the other hand, false positives can occur when antibodies from other infections react with Lyme test markers.

Finally, a positive result doesn’t always mean there’s an active infection. The test detects antibodies, not the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria itself, and these antibodies can remain in your system for years after the initial infection.

You can read more about serology testing for Lyme disease here.

Tick Testing as a Diagnostic Tool

Another way to support a Lyme disease diagnosis is by testing the tick itself. If you’ve been bitten, the tick can be tested for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. While tick testing isn’t a replacement for blood tests, it serves as an additional public health resource. A positive result can help you and your healthcare provider act quickly if you suspect exposure and need treatment.

Learn more about tick testing here.

Getting Treatment for Lyme

If you suspect you have Lyme disease, contact your healthcare provider right away. Be prepared to share any test results you have, along with details about when / where you were bitten and any symptoms you may have noticed.

Can I Get a Diagnosis Without Testing?

Yes, in some states, it is possible to receive antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease as a preventative measure, without a positive test. In other areas, a confirmed blood test may be required before treatment can begin. Because of the limitations of serological testing, test results should ideally support—but not solely determine—a diagnosis or treatment plan. Many factors besides the testing should be taken into consideration first, including:

  • Location: Some regions have higher rates of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with multiple health conditions may face greater risks if infected.
  • Age: The very young and elderly are more likely to experience severe symptoms.
  • Tick type: Only deer ticks and western blacklegged ticks carry the Lyme bacteria. Transmission typically requires the tick to be attached for approximately 18–24 hours.

The CDC’s Recommended Treatment Options

Adults:

  • Doxycycline 100 mg, twice daily
  • Cefuroxime axetil 500 mg, twice daily
  • Amoxicillin 500 mg, three times daily
    Duration: 10–21 days

Children:

  • Doxycycline 4 mg/kg, divided into two daily doses
  • Cefuroxime axetil 30 mg/kg, divided into two daily doses
  • Amoxicillin 50 mg/kg, divided into three daily doses
    Duration: 10–21 days

With prompt antibiotic treatment, most tick-borne diseases can be completely cured – in some cases, even before symptoms appear.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing


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Keeping Kids Safe From Ticks: A Step By Step Guide

tick safe yard

Every parent wants their kids to spend time outside- it’s one of the healthiest and most rewarding parts of childhood. But outdoor play does come with risks, including exposure to ticks. These tiny parasites can carry Lyme disease and other illnesses that no parent wants their child to face.

The good news is that you don’t have to keep your kids indoors to keep them safe. With a few simple precautions, you can let them enjoy the outdoors while greatly reducing the risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases.

1. Dress for Tick Safety

Clothing is one of the easiest and most effective defenses against ticks. Covering up reduces the amount of exposed skin where ticks can bite, and choosing light-colored fabrics makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach.

  • Long sleeved tops
  • Long pants
  • Long socks with the pant leg tucked into them
  • Close-toed shoes

2. Stick to Safe Play Zones

Ticks thrive in shady, humid environments, so be sure to avoid tall grass, brush, and wooded edges. A few simple choices about where to play can greatly reduce the chances of picking up a tick.

  • Encourage play in mowed lawns, playgrounds, or open areas
  • Keep kids out of leaf piles and brushy patches.
  • Make sure they use established trails instead of running through tall grass

3. Keep the Yard Tick-Safe

Don’t let your yard become a paradise for ticks! Regular lawn care and a few simple changes to your outdoor space can go a long way in keeping ticks at bay.

  • Mow your grass regularly
  • Clear away lawn debris like leaf litter, brush, and weeds
  • Move play equipment and outdoor furniture to sunny, open areas
  • Stack woodpiles away from play areas
  • Create a wood chip or gravel barrier between your lawn and wooded areas

Want more ideas? Check out our full guide.

4. Do Daily Tick Checks

Even with precautions, kids can still pick up ticks while playing outside. Ticks must usually be attached for 18–24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease, so catching them early makes all the difference. Make tick checks a daily routine- after outdoor play, bath time, or before bed. For younger children, parents should do the checks; older kids can be taught how to check themselves.

Ticks prefer warm, hidden spots on the body. Be sure to check the whole body carefully, especially:

  • Scalp & hairline
  • In the hair
  • Behind and around the ears
  • Armpits
  • Behind knees
  • Under the waistband
  • Between the legs

Don’t forget about your pets- dogs and cats can also bring ticks indoors, so checking them regularly is just as important. They can also catch Lyme disease too!

5. Be Prepared With the Right Tools

If you find a tick on your child, don’t panic. The key is removing it quickly and safely. Don’t burn the tick, remove it with your fingers, or cover the tick with Vaseline or nail polish remover. This can increase the likelihood of Lyme disease transmission.

While a good tick remover tool is never a bad idea, a standard pair of bathroom tweezers will work just fine to remove most ticks:

  • Grasp the tick as close as possible to the mouthparts, where it is attached to the skin
  • Pull straight out with even, firm pressure- don’t twist or jerk
  • Safely dispose of the tick (flush, submerge in alcohol, place in sealed container, etc)
  • Clean the bite site with soap and water or and alcohol swab

If the tick’s head or mouthparts break off and remain in the skin, don’t panic. These parts cannot transmit disease, and in most cases the body will naturally push them out over time, much like a splinter. Afterward, keep an eye out for symptoms of Lyme disease or other tick borne illnesses over the next few weeks.

Final Thoughts

Ticks are a reality of outdoor life, but they don’t have to stop your kids from exploring and having fun. By dressing smart, sticking to safe play areas, and checking daily for ticks, you can greatly reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing
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Lyme Disease and Wildlife: How Ticks Spread Through Nature

white footed mice spread lyme disease

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, and awareness of it has grown steadily over the past few decades. Most people now recognize Lyme as a serious concern, but fewer realize just how quickly it is spreading. Once primarily found in the Northeast, Lyme cases are now being reported across much of the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and is even spreading into parts of the southern and western United States. As the disease spreads, staying informed and prepared becomes more important than ever.

But how exactly does Lyme disease move from wildlife into people? Ticks don’t start out infected. Instead, they acquire the bacteria that causes Lyme disease—Borrelia burgdorferi—by feeding on an infected animal host, such as a mouse. Once acquired by the tick, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans or pets during a later bite, turning a simple tick encounter into a potential health risk.

Which Ticks Spread Lyme Disease?

Blacklegged tick / deer tick size comparison

Not every tick’s bite can spread Lyme disease. In the United States, only the blacklegged tick (also called the deer tick) is able to pass on Lyme. Other tick species can still make you sick, but with different illnesses—such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever or ehrlichiosis.

Recent analysis of the results of TickCheck’s tick testing concludes that of 2,000+ specimens, 30% of blacklegged ticks tested carried the Lyme bacteria. It’s important to remember, however, that not every bite by an infected tick will result in transmission of Lyme to the host. These ticks must typically be attached for 18-24 hours before transmission can occur.

Blacklegged ticks can be hard to spot. Unfed ticks are small, flat, and dark in color. As they feed, they swell in size, becoming rounder and more swollen. An engorged tick may also lighten in color.

Wildlife and the Spread of Lyme Disease

Ticks feed on more than 300 different animals- everything from deer and cattle to chipmunks and even birds. Of these animals however, only some are capable of carrying and transmitting Lyme to a feeding tick: mice, chipmunks, birds and shrews.

Juvenile ticks feeding from white-footed mice are especially likely to become infected, making these small mammals key players in Lyme’s spread. Once a tick acquires the bacteria, it can transmit it during future feedings.

Deer, while not sources of Lyme bacteria themselves, play a different role. They are the preferred host for adult blacklegged ticks (hence the nickname ‘deer tick’), and by carrying them into forests, fields, and even backyards, they help expand where ticks can be found.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

If you live in an area where deer, mice, or other wildlife are common, there’s a good chance ticks are present as well. Prevention is the best protection- here are a few simple steps you can take:

  • Be cautious in tick-prone areas: tall grass, brush, wooded trails, and edges where lawns meet the woods.
  • Check yourself, your kids, and your pets after spending time outdoors.
  • Act quickly if you find a tick. Remember, it usually takes 18–24 hours for Lyme transmission to occur, so removing a tick promptly and properly is the best defense.
  • Use safe removal tools. Carrying a dedicated tick remover ensures you can take ticks off quickly and completely.

By understanding the role wildlife plays in Lyme disease and practicing prevention, you can reduce your risk and stay safer outdoors.

Worried About a Recent Tick Bite?

If you’ve removed a tick and want peace of mind, TickCheck offers fast and reliable tick testing services. Simply send the tick to our lab, and we’ll identify the species and test it for Lyme disease and other common pathogens. Knowing whether a tick was carrying disease can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about next steps.

Learn More About Tick Testing

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Tick Removal: What NOT to Do

Good Tick Remover Tools Matter

When it comes to ticks, speed is important- but using the right tool, and using it correctly, is just as critical. A good tick remover is designed to safely extract the tick without leaving parts behind or unduly stressing the tick – all of which can increase your risk of infection with Lyme or other tick-borne diseases.

Unfortunately, outdated advice and home remedies still circulate widely. Here’s what not to do when removing a tick, and why the right tool (even a pair of bathroom tweezers- makes all the difference.

❌ Don’t Smother It

One of the most common myths is that you should smother a tick with substances like petroleum jelly, essential oils, nail polish, or rubbing alcohol to make it “back out” on its own.

Why it’s a problem:
While this method may cause the tick to release, these substances can stress the tick and cause it to regurgitate saliva and/or stomach contents into the bite site. If the tick is carrying the pathogens that cause Lyme or other diseases, this increases the chance that the pathogen may be transmitted.

❌ Don’t Burn It

Another old trick: burning the tick off with a hot match or lighter. It sounds quick and decisive, but it’s neither safe nor effective.

Why it’s a problem:
This method can lead to burns, fire hazards, and more stress on the tick- again, increasing the risk of it regurgitating into the wound. Even if the tick dies, it won’t necessarily detach on its own, and the result may simply be a scorched, embedded tick.

❌ Don’t Twist It

A common method of tick removal includes twisting the tick, to encourage the barbs on the mouth-parts to release.

Why it’s a problem:
Twisting can apply to much pressure to the tick’s mouthparts, causing them to break off and remain embedded in the skin. Not only is this irritating, but it also raises the risk of local infection.

❌ Don’t Use Your Fingers

When you spot a tick, it’s tempting to grab it and pull. But using your fingers is one of the least safe ways to remove a tick.

Why it’s a problem:
You’re likely to squeeze the tick’s body, which can force the tick regurgitate into your bloodstream. Plus, it’s harder to remove the tick cleanly, increasing the chances of leaving parts behind.

The Right Approach Starts with Avoiding the Wrong Ones

Removing a tick may seem simple, but small mistakes can have serious consequences. Ticks are becoming more and more common in North America, and as the tick population swells, so too does the chance of infection with Tick-borne disease. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed:

  • Avoid unsafe removal methods
  • Use tools like fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool
  • Remove the tick steadily and carefully, without twisting or squeezing
  • Clean the area afterward and monitor for symptoms

A few seconds of proper technique can make all the difference.

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Where to Buy TickCheck Tick Removers

Whether you’re heading outdoors or preparing for peak tick season, it’s important to have the right tools on hand. TickCheck Tick Removers are designed for safe, easy tick removal—for both people and pets—and are available in a variety of convenient places, both online and in-store.

🛒 Available Online

You can order directly from our website at shop.TickCheck.com for fast shipping straight from our warehouse. We also offer our full line of tick remover tools and kits through major retailers:

🏬 Available In Stores

TickCheck Tick Removers are also available at select local retailers throughout the U.S. If you don’t see them in a store near you, let your favorite shop know you’re looking—we’re always working to expand our reach. And in the meantime, we’re just a few clicks away online.

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Get TickCheck Tick Removers Wholesale on Faire.com

If you own a retail store, clinic, or outdoor gear shop and are looking to stock reliable tick removal tools, we’ve made it even easier to place wholesale orders. TickCheck Tick Removers are now available on Faire.com—the leading online wholesale marketplace for independent retailers.

Why Buy on Faire?

Ordering through Faire gives you great benefits:

  • $100 credit for new retailers (via Faire)
  • Free shipping for your first order
  • Net 60 payment terms
  • Easy access to order our full product line

Designed for Retail

All TickCheck products are packaged for resale, with easy-to-read instructions and eye-catching branding. Whether you’re stocking up for peak tick season or adding an all-season impulse buy to your register area, we’ve got you covered.

Join Dozens of Retailers Across the U.S.

TickCheck Tick Removers are already carried in pet supply stores, veterinary offices, pharmacies, outdoor retailers, and more nationwide. We’d love to work with you, too.

Ready to order? Shop our wholesale page on Faire to get started.

Don’t Want To Use Faire?

Feel free to reach out for more information.