Best Time to See Ticks in Maryland
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Maryland. Based on 2,495 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Maryland.
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
2,495 verified observations of ticks in Maryland, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
May
637 records (25.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 0.7% |
| February | 33 | 1.3% |
| March | 117 | 4.7% |
| Aprilpeak | 447 | 17.9% |
| Maypeak | 637 | 25.5% |
| Junepeak | 560 | 22.4% |
| July | 359 | 14.4% |
| August | 94 | 3.8% |
| September | 57 | 2.3% |
| October | 67 | 2.7% |
| November | 77 | 3.1% |
| December | 30 | 1.2% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lone Star Tick | 951 |
| American Dog Tick | 806 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 422 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 55 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 31 |
| Rabbit Tick | 5 |
| Western Dog Tick | 1 |
| Ornithodorinae | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when ticks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for ticks sit around 45 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Mar | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Junbest time | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of ticks in Maryland peak in May, when 637 of the year's 2,495 verified observations are logged — about 25.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, when ticks are hardest to find — January sees just 17 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick and Eastern Black-legged Tick — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see ticks in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Maryland?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 2,495 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Maryland?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in Maryland, with only 17 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in Maryland?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Maryland, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Maryland