Are There Ticks in Georgia?
Yes, ticks are very common throughout Georgia and pose a real health concern, particularly during warmer months when they are most active. The brown dog tick and lone star tick are especially prevalent across the state. While tick bites are treatable with proper care, it is important to understand how to recognize them and take steps to prevent encounters.
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
- 749
- GBIF records
Yes, ticks are in Georgia. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
5 types of ticks recorded in Georgia
5 tick species have a verified observation record in Georgia, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Plus 2 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Yes, ticks are very common throughout Georgia and pose a real health concern, particularly during warmer months when they are most active. The brown dog tick and lone star tick are especially prevalent across the state. While tick bites are treatable with proper care, it is important to understand how to recognize them and take steps to prevent encounters.
Are they in Georgia?
Ticks are abundant throughout Georgia, from the mountains in the north to the coastal plains in the south. The state's warm, humid climate makes it an ideal environment for multiple tick species. Brown dog ticks are found year-round indoors and outdoors, while American dog ticks and lone star ticks thrive in woodlands, fields, and shrubby areas across the state. The Gulf Coast region and lowland areas of southern Georgia have especially high tick populations due to the warm temperatures and moisture. OurTick in Georgiaguide provides more detailed information on identification and prevention. If you enjoy outdoor activities in Georgia, understanding local tick risks is essential for your safety and the safety of your pets.
How dangerous is it?
Tick bites can transmit serious diseases, particularly Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though most bites do not result in infection. A tick must typically be attached for 24 to 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease, and the risk varies by season and location. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can develop with symptoms such as fever, rash, and muscle aches within three to 14 days of infection. Proper and prompt removal of a tick greatly reduces disease transmission risk. With early detection and appropriate medical treatment, most tick-borne illnesses have good outcomes. The key is seeking medical care promptly if symptoms develop after a tick bite and informing your doctor of the exposure.
How to recognize one
Ticks in Georgia are small arachnids with eight legs, ranging from the size of a sesame seed when unfed to a small grape when engorged with blood. Brown dog ticks are reddish-brown and often found on pets, in homes, and in warm sheltered places. Lone star ticks are brown with a white spot on the female's back. American dog ticks are brown with white markings. Ticks hide in tall grass, leaf litter, shrubs, woodpiles, and under rocks and logs. They cling to vegetation waiting for a passing animal or person, then crawl onto clothing and skin. Check your skin, scalp, andGeorgia wildlifeareas frequently when returning from outdoors, as early detection makes removal much easier and safer.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If you find a tick attached to your skin, stay calm and do not panic. Remove it promptly by using fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily upward without twisting or crushing it. Do not apply oil, petroleum jelly, heat, or pesticides to the tick, as these can cause it to release pathogens into your body. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Place the removed tick in a container if you want it identified later. 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. Monitor the bite area for signs of infection or rash over the next few weeks.
How to prevent encounters
Prevention is the most effective way to reduce tick risk in Georgia. Wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when hiking or spending time in tall grass or wooded areas, as ticks are easier to spot on light fabric. Tuck your pant legs into your socks to create a barrier. Use tick repellent containing 20% DEET or permethrin on exposed skin and clothing. After being outdoors, check your entire body for ticks, especially in warm areas such as your hairline, behind ears, armpits, and groin. Shower and wash clothes in hot water, as a hot dryer can kill ticks. Keep your yard maintained by mowing grass short, removing leaf litter and woodpiles, and treating yard edges with tick control sprays. Checkour wildlife guidesfor more prevention tips for other animals in your area.
Where in Georgia and when
Ticks are found throughout Georgia, including the Appalachian Mountains in the north, the Piedmont region, and the Coastal Plain. High-risk areas include state parks, national forests, hiking trails, and properties with substantial wooded borders or dense vegetation. Ticks are most active from March through October, with peak activity in late spring and summer when temperatures are warm and humidity is high. During this period, ticks are hungry and actively seeking hosts. Fall brings a secondary surge as ticks prepare for winter. Even in winter, some tick species remain active on warmer days, particularly indoors on pets and in homes. People who work outdoors or spend leisure time hiking, camping, or hunting should be especially vigilant during the warm months.Wildlife in Georgiaencounters increase during outdoor recreation seasons.
Harmless lookalikes
Many small insects and arthropods in Georgia are commonly mistaken for ticks, though they are harmless. Seed ticks, which are very young ticks clustered together, are often confused with tiny insects, but these are actual ticks and should still be removed carefully. Small beetles, mites, and chiggers are sometimes misidentified as ticks. Chiggers are particularly common in Georgia and cause itching similar to tick bites, but they do not transmit Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lice nits and small spiders may also be mistaken for ticks. The easiest way to confirm you have found a tick is to count the legs, as ticks have eight while most insects have six. If you are uncertain, you can take a photo and consultmore on Tick in Georgiaor a local pest control professional for positive identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to remove a tick from my skin? Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady pressure. Do not twist, squeeze, or apply heat to the tick, as this can cause it to release more pathogens into your body. What symptoms should I watch for after a tick bite? Watch for a circular rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue within three to 30 days of the bite. If any of these symptoms develop, see a doctor immediately and mention the tick exposure. Can I get Lyme disease from every tick bite? No, most tick bites do not result in Lyme disease transmission. A tick typically needs to be attached for 24 to 36 hours to transmit the bacteria, so prompt removal significantly reduces your risk. How can I check my pet for ticks? Run your hands over your pet's entire body, particularly around the ears, neck, and between the toes. Feel for small bumps that are ticks. For a comprehensive guide, consult yourGeorgia wildlife guideor veterinarian for pet-specific prevention.
Plan your tick sighting in Georgia
749 verified tick records have been logged in Georgia, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Georgia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Cumberland Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Pulaski National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Andersonville National Historic Site · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in Georgia?+
Ticks are abundant throughout Georgia, from the mountains in the north to the coastal plains in the south. The state's warm, humid climate makes it an ideal environment for multiple tick species. Brown dog ticks are found year-round indoors and outdoors, while American dog ticks and lone star ticks thrive in woodlands, fields, and shrubby areas across the state. The Gulf Coast region and lowland areas of southern Georgia have especially high tick populations due to the warm temperatures and moisture. OurTick in Georgiaguide provides more detailed information on identification and prevention. If you enjoy outdoor activities in Georgia, understanding local tick risks is essential for your safety and the safety of your pets.
How dangerous is it?+
Tick bites can transmit serious diseases, particularly Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though most bites do not result in infection. A tick must typically be attached for 24 to 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease, and the risk varies by season and location. Rocky Mountain spotted fever can develop with symptoms such as fever, rash, and muscle aches within three to 14 days of infection. Proper and prompt removal of a tick greatly reduces disease transmission risk. With early detection and appropriate medical treatment, most tick-borne illnesses have good outcomes. The key is seeking medical care promptly if symptoms develop after a tick bite and informing your doctor of the exposure.
More wildlife in Georgia