When are ticks active during the month? - briefly
Ticks are most active from early spring through late fall, roughly April – October, with peak periods in May and September. Activity peaks when temperatures range between 55 °F and 85 °F and relative humidity stays above about 70 %.
When are ticks active during the month? - in detail
Ticks emerge when temperatures consistently exceed 45 °F (7 °C) and humidity remains above 70 %. During the first two weeks of spring, activity is limited to the warmest days; many species become detectable only after nightly lows rise above 40 °F (4 °C). By mid‑month, when daytime highs regularly reach 60–70 °F (15–21 °C), adult females and nymphs are most active, seeking hosts for blood meals. Activity peaks in the third week, coinciding with optimal moisture in leaf litter and grass.
- Early month (days 1‑7): Sparse activity; larvae appear in sheltered microhabitats; risk low for humans.
- Mid‑month (days 8‑14): Nymphal stage intensifies; questing behavior increases; exposure risk rises sharply.
- Late month (days 15‑21): Adult ticks dominate; questing height reaches ground level; highest transmission potential.
- End of month (days 22‑30): Activity declines as temperatures drop or become unstable; ticks retreat to deeper litter.
Daily patterns follow a diurnal rhythm. Questing begins at dawn, peaks mid‑day, and diminishes by late afternoon when humidity falls. Nighttime activity is minimal except in humid, shaded areas.
Geographic variation modifies the timeline. In temperate zones, the described schedule aligns with April–May; in subtropical regions, similar activity may start earlier (February) and extend later (June). Altitude also delays onset by roughly one week per 500 m increase.
Monitoring temperature (>45 °F) and relative humidity (>70 %) provides a reliable predictor of when ticks will be actively seeking hosts throughout any given month.