Why Tick Season Doesn’t End When the Weather Turns Cold

Cooler weather might have you packing away the bug spray, but health officials say it’s too soon to stop thinking about ticks. Adult blacklegged ticks stay active through November in parts of the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest, and they can even come out on mild winter days.

That means common fall activities like raking leaves, hiking and hunting can still put people in contact with ticks long after summer ends.

Tickborne Illnesses Are Still a Concern

In early October, Maine health officials warned residents that fall outdoor activities can bring them into contact with ticks. By then, the state had already received more than 5,000 preliminary reports of tickborne diseases this year, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.

“Many people think ticks are only a summer problem,” Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va said. But, Va added, “ticks can remain active throughout the fall.”