Are There Ticks in Alaska?
Yes, ticks are present in Alaska but far less common than in the lower 48 states. The cold winters limit tick populations significantly, and the tick season is much shorter. Wood ticks are the primary species found in interior and southeastern Alaska. Most tick encounters in Alaska occur during summer months on hiking trails and in forested areas.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
- 1,518
- GBIF records
Yes, ticks are in Alaska. Next you'll want:
Yes, ticks are present in Alaska but far less common than in the lower 48 states. The cold winters limit tick populations significantly, and the tick season is much shorter. Wood ticks are the primary species found in interior and southeastern Alaska. Most tick encounters in Alaska occur during summer months on hiking trails and in forested areas.
Are they in Alaska?
Yes, ticks are established in Alaska, but their presence is much more limited than in warmer states. Harsh winters and short summers restrict tick populations to certain regions and seasons. Wood ticks are the most common species in Alaska, found primarily in interior forests and southeastern regions around areas like the Tongass National Forest. Ixodes ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are present but less common in Alaska than in eastern states. Tick populations are heaviest in forested areas with high deer populations, particularly in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and southeastern panhandle. Unlike southern states where ticks are active almost year-round, Alaska has a distinctly limited tick season.Tick in Alaskaare encountered by far fewer people than residents of lower 48 states. The short, intense summer means ticks have a narrow window for activity. If you spend time in Alaska's forests and brush during summer, you should still take tick precautions, but the overall risk is considerably lower than in other regions.
How dangerous is it?
Tick bites in Alaska carry similar risks to those in other US regions, with the main concern being disease transmission. Lyme disease is possible from Ixodes ticks but is less common in Alaska than in eastern states. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be transmitted by wood ticks. The actual risk from a single tick bite is low for most people, especially when the tick is removed promptly. Fever, rash, joint pain, or fatigue after a tick bite warrant medical attention, but these conditions are treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Serious complications from tick-borne illness are rare in Alaska, partly because tick populations are so limited and because many people are aware of the risk and take precautions. Most tick bites cause only mild local irritation and redness around the attachment site. Children and elderly individuals should take extra precautions. Alaska's shorter tick season means fewer encounters overall and lower cumulative risk compared to spending the same time outdoors in tick-endemic regions farther south.
How to recognize one
Ticks are small arachnids with eight legs and flat, oval bodies when unfed. Unfed ticks are often the size of a sesame seed or smaller, while engorged ticks swell to the size of a raisin. Wood ticks, the most common species in Alaska, are brown or mottled in color with lighter markings on their backs. Ixodes ticks are smaller, ranging from red-brown to black, and are often easier to miss on the skin. Ticks hide in tall grass, leaf litter, brush, and on vegetation along trails in forests and clearings. They cling to passing animals and people, then crawl to find a place to feed. You are unlikely to feel a tick when it first attaches because they inject a numbing substance.Alaska wildlifehabitats like the Tongass National Forest provide ideal tick environment in summer months. Look carefully at your skin and clothing after hiking, especially in hidden areas like behind your ears, under your arms, and between your toes. Most people do not feel a tick bite when it happens.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
Stay calm if you find a tick on your skin or clothing. Remove it as soon as possible using a pair of tweezers or a tick removal tool. Grasp the tick close to its mouth parts and pull straight out with steady, gentle pressure. Do not twist, squeeze, or jerk the tick, as this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in your skin. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. You can dispose of the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or container. Some people preserve ticks for testing if symptoms develop later. Watch the bite area over the next few days for signs of infection or expanding rash. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Do not use nail polish, petroleum jelly, or heat to remove a tick, as these methods are ineffective and may irritate the skin. Seek medical care if you develop fever, rash, joint pain, or muscle aches in the weeks following a bite.
How to prevent encounters
The best strategy is to prevent tick encounters in the first place. When hiking in Alaska's forests during summer, stay on established trails and avoid walking through tall grass and brush. Wear long pants tucked into your socks and long sleeves when possible, especially during peak tick season from May through August. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin before heading outdoors. Permethrin applied to clothing and gear is particularly effective at repelling and killing ticks on contact. After spending time outdoors, inspect your entire body carefully, paying special attention to hidden areas like behind your ears, armpits, groin, and between your toes. Shower and wash your clothes in hot water after outdoor activities. Clear brush and leaf litter from around your cabin or home.Our wildlife guidesinclude additional prevention strategies for managing wildlife risks. Trim vegetation away from structures and remove or elevate woodpiles. Create a tick-free zone immediately around your living space by reducing brush and dampness.
Where in Alaska and when
Ticks in Alaska are found primarily in forested regions with established populations of deer and other wildlife. Interior Alaska forests, particularly in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley near Anchorage and the surrounding areas, support wood tick populations. Southeastern Alaska, especially around the Tongass National Forest and coastal regions, has established tick populations in summer months. Ticks are found on trails, in brush, and in areas with tall grass and leaf litter. The Tick season in Alaska is extremely short compared to other states, typically lasting from late May or early June through August. Peak activity occurs during the warmest months. Most tick encounters happen during summer hiking, camping, or outdoor work. Winter in Alaska is far too cold for tick activity, and spring and fall are marginal seasons.Wildlife in Alaskaexists in harsh conditions where many parasites struggle to survive. Unlike states with year-round tick activity, Alaska offers a natural break during the long, cold winters. Spring is when ticks begin to emerge, but they are still limited by cool temperatures.
Harmless lookalikes
Ticks are distinctive enough that they are rarely confused with other creatures in Alaska. Small mites, lice, or other arthropods might occasionally cause concern, but they differ significantly from ticks. Mites are generally much smaller than ticks and have different body structures. Seed ticks, which are unfed baby ticks, might look like other small arthropods, but they have the characteristic eight-legged tick body. Most small parasites found on humans are far more likely to be harmless insects like chiggers, lice, or mites rather than disease-carrying ticks. Alaska's limited tick populations mean that most people who worry about a small insect bite are dealing with something entirely benign. If you are unsure about an insect, you can photograph it or place it in a container for a doctor or local extension office to identify.More on Tick in Alaskaincludes identification resources to distinguish real ticks from harmless lookalikes. The good news is that Alaska's low tick burden means your actual risk of encountering one is quite small compared to hiking in other regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ticks deadly? Tick bites themselves are rarely fatal, though ticks can transmit serious diseases. Deaths from tick-borne illness are uncommon across the US, and cases in Alaska are even rarer. How common are tick bites in Alaska? Much less common than in southern states because tick populations are limited to summer months and specific forested regions. Most people can spend their entire lives in Alaska without encountering a tick. What attracts ticks to an area? Ticks are attracted to wildlife, particularly deer, and to brushy, grassy habitats with moist conditions. Creating tick-free zones around homes requires removing brush and maintaining clear ground. What should I do if I see one? Remove it immediately using tweezers, pulling straight out gently and completely. Clean the area with soap and water, and watch for signs of rash or fever over the next two weeks.Alaska wildlife guideprovides more information on managing wildlife risks. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite, seek medical attention promptly.
Plan your tick sighting in Alaska
1,518 verified tick records have been logged in Alaska, most recently in 2025. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Alaska
- Alagnak Wild River · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Bering Land Bridge National Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cape Krusenstern National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Denali National Park & Preserve · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Alaska?+
Yes, ticks are established in Alaska, but their presence is much more limited than in warmer states. Harsh winters and short summers restrict tick populations to certain regions and seasons. Wood ticks are the most common species in Alaska, found primarily in interior forests and southeastern regions around areas like the Tongass National Forest. Ixodes ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are present but less common in Alaska than in eastern states. Tick populations are heaviest in forested areas with high deer populations, particularly in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and southeastern panhandle. Unlike southern states where ticks are active almost year-round, Alaska has a distinctly limited tick season.Tick in Alaskaare encountered by far fewer people than residents of lower 48 states. The short, intense summer means ticks have a narrow window for activity. If you spend time in Alaska's forests and brush during summer, you should still take tick precautions, but the overall risk is considerably lower than in other regions.
How dangerous is it?+
Tick bites in Alaska carry similar risks to those in other US regions, with the main concern being disease transmission. Lyme disease is possible from Ixodes ticks but is less common in Alaska than in eastern states. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can be transmitted by wood ticks. The actual risk from a single tick bite is low for most people, especially when the tick is removed promptly. Fever, rash, joint pain, or fatigue after a tick bite warrant medical attention, but these conditions are treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Serious complications from tick-borne illness are rare in Alaska, partly because tick populations are so limited and because many people are aware of the risk and take precautions. Most tick bites cause only mild local irritation and redness around the attachment site. Children and elderly individuals should take extra precautions. Alaska's shorter tick season means fewer encounters overall and lower cumulative risk compared to spending the same time outdoors in tick-endemic regions farther south.
More wildlife in Alaska