This website was created by tick researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to provide members of the public with evidence-based information and guidance on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Wisconsin.
Tick Activity in Wisconsin
See which life stages of blacklegged (deer) ticks are usually active this time of year! Tick activity changes with the weather and environmental conditions and can vary from season to season.
For current data and weekly tick surveillance updates, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services tick surveillance reports:
Blacklegged Tick Forecast (In an Average Year)
Who’s out right now?
January
You will most likely find: Adults (low activity)
Adult ticks may be active on warm winter days.
February
You will most likely find: Adults (low activity)
Adult ticks may be active on warm winter days.
March
You will most likely find: Adults
Adults become active as the snow melts and temperatures rise.
April
You will most likely find: Adults and Nymphs
Adult ticks are active, and nymphs may begin to emerge later in the month if we have a warm spring.
May
You will most likely find: Adults and Nymphs
Adult activity continues, and nymphs are emerging in larger numbers.
June
You will most likely find: Nymphs and Larvae
Nymph activity is at its peak, and larvae become active mid-month.
July
You will most likely find: Nymphs and Larvae
Nymphs and larvae remain active.
August
You will most likely find: Larvae and Nymphs
Larvae are active now, and nymphs may also be present in lower numbers.
September
You will most likely find: Adults
Adult ticks reappear as temperatures cool.
October
You will most likely find: Adults
Fall adult activity peaks, and adult ticks are very active on warm days.
November
You will most likely find: Adults
Adults remain active until sustained freezing temperatures arrive.
December
You will most likely find: Adults (low activity)
Tick activity slows down, but adults can still quest during warm spells.
In the News
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ABC News 18 Eau Claire
UW-Madison researchers survey ticks in Eau Claire; also identify lone star tick
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Milwaukee NPR interview
Reporting on the warm winter and what we can expect from ticks.
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Tools for summer camps