Are There Ticks in Missouri?
Yes, ticks are established throughout Missouri in forests and wooded areas. American dog ticks and Lone Star ticks are the primary species present in the state. Checking yourself after outdoor activities, removing ticks properly, and taking prevention measures are essential for anyone spending time in Missouri's forests and natural 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
- 1,197
- GBIF records
Yes, ticks are in Missouri. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
4 types of ticks recorded in Missouri
4 tick species have a verified observation record in Missouri, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
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Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Yes, ticks are established throughout Missouri in forests and wooded areas. American dog ticks and Lone Star ticks are the primary species present in the state. Checking yourself after outdoor activities, removing ticks properly, and taking prevention measures are essential for anyone spending time in Missouri's forests and natural areas.
Are Ticks in Missouri?
Yes, ticks are well established throughout Missouri, particularly in wooded areas, forests, and brushy habitats statewide. The American dog tick is the most common species in Missouri, along with the Lone Star tick. While different from the northern deer tick, these species can transmit serious infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Missouri's forests, from the oak forests of the southern Ozarks to the hardwood forests of the northern regions and forests along the Missouri River, all support tick populations. Ticks are particularly abundant in the Ozark region, which covers a significant portion of southern and central Missouri. The forested areas throughout Missouri create ideal tick habitat. Spring through fall are the peak months for tick activity, though ticks can remain active year-round in Missouri's mild winters. Anyone spending time in Missouri's woods, hiking trails, or outdoor areas should assume ticks are present. Understanding tick presence and which species occur in Missouri helps you take appropriate precautions. For more on tick in Missouri, see ourMissouri tick guide.
How Dangerous Are Ticks?
Tick bites in Missouri can be medically serious because these arachnids can transmit bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other infections. American dog ticks are the primary vectors of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Missouri. Lone Star ticks can transmit related illnesses. The actual risk depends on whether the tick carried disease organisms, how long it remained attached, and whether you seek prompt medical care. Many people bitten by ticks in Missouri do not develop illness. Many ticks do not carry disease. Most tick-borne illnesses are treatable with antibiotics when recognized early. Serious outcomes are uncommon, especially with prompt medical attention. The danger is real but manageable with swift action. Removing a tick within 24 hours significantly lowers your disease transmission risk. The key is not to panic but to respond promptly: remove the tick carefully, clean the area, monitor for symptoms, and seek medical care if needed. Swift action and awareness are your strongest defenses against tick-borne illness in Missouri. You can also browseMissouri wildlife.
How to Recognize Ticks
American dog ticks in Missouri are medium-sized, about one-eighth inch long when unfed, with a reddish-brown body and a white or cream-colored shield-shaped marking on their back. Lone Star ticks are similar in size and coloration but have a distinctive white spot or star on their back. Both species hide in tall grass, brush, leaf litter, and wooded areas throughout Missouri. Ticks do not jump or fly; they wait on vegetation and grasp hosts using specialized legs as you brush past. You encounter them while hiking forest trails, exploring the Ozarks, walking through state parks, or exploring wooded areas near streams and rivers. Ticks cling to your clothing or skin during outdoor activities. They are active throughout spring and summer and can remain active into fall and mild winters. Check your body after outdoor time. Missouri ticks are larger than northern deer ticks, making them somewhat easier to spot, though careful inspection of skin and clothing is still necessary for early detection.
What to Do If You Find a Tick
If you find a tick on your body, remain calm and remove it promptly. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady, even pressure. Do not jerk or twist, as this may leave tick parts embedded or cause it to release bacteria. After removal, clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water. Wash your hands well. Place the tick in a sealed container if you want it identified later, but do not crush it. Monitor the bite area and your health over the following weeks. If you develop a rash, fever, joint pain, or other symptoms, seek medical attention and mention your tick exposure. 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 petroleum jelly, alcohol, or heat to remove ticks; these methods are ineffective and potentially harmful. Direct removal with tweezers is the safest and most effective approach to preventing disease transmission.
How to Prevent Tick Encounters
Prevention is important when spending time in Missouri's tick habitats. When in wooded or brushy areas, wear light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into your socks. Light colors make ticks visible before they reach your skin. Apply insect repellent containing DEET to exposed skin, and consider treating your clothing with permethrin before outdoor activities. After returning indoors, check your entire body carefully, paying special attention to warm areas including your armpits, behind your ears, your hairline, and the back of your knees. Shower within a few hours of outdoor time, as this can wash away unattached ticks. Place your clothes in hot water immediately and dry them on high heat for at least ten minutes to kill any ticks. Keep your yard maintained by removing leaf litter, trimming grass, and clearing brush in areas where your family spends time. Check pets regularly for ticks, as they readily carry ticks into your home. These practical prevention measures significantly reduce your tick exposure when enjoying Missouri's forests and outdoor areas.
Where and When in Missouri
Ticks are found throughout Missouri's wooded areas and forests. They are particularly abundant in the Ozark region of southern and central Missouri, in the hardwood forests of northern Missouri, and throughout the forested areas along the Missouri River and its tributaries. Bottomland forests, oak forests, and pine forests all support tick populations. Tick activity peaks in spring and early summer, roughly from April through July, when populations are highest. A secondary peak occurs in fall as temperatures remain mild. Ticks can remain active year-round in Missouri during warm periods. Peak activity in late spring and early summer represents the highest risk for tick encounters. Ticks are most active in warm, damp conditions. Understanding Missouri's seasonal tick patterns helps you plan outdoor activities and increase precautions during peak months. Visit ourMissouri wildlifeguide to learn about other animals you might encounter in the state's forests and natural areas.
Lookalikes: Harmless Species
Many small arthropods are mistaken for ticks. Chiggers, the larval form of harvest mites, are often confused with ticks and do cause itching, but they cause only minor discomfort and do not transmit serious disease. Wood mites, soil mites, and other harmless mites do not bite. Beetle larvae and other small insects may appear tick-like but are harmless. Bits of dirt or plant material can sometimes appear similar to ticks. If you are uncertain whether you have found a tick, a healthcare provider or local health department can identify it for you. Even if you do find a tick in Missouri, many bites do not result in infection. The key is swift removal and monitoring for symptoms. Learn more about ticks and other wildlife in ourTick in Missouriguide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ticks deadly? Tick bites can cause serious illness, but deaths from tick-borne disease are rare in Missouri with prompt medical treatment. Early antibiotic treatment of tick-borne infections is highly effective. How common are ticks in Missouri? Ticks are common throughout wooded areas, especially from spring through fall. Assume ticks are present if you spend time in forests. What attracts ticks to a house? Ticks do not deliberately seek homes but may be carried inside on pets, clothing, or wildlife. Maintaining your yard and checking pets regularly reduces indoor tick risk significantly. What should I do if I see a tick on my body? Remove it immediately with tweezers, grasping close to your skin and pulling straight upward. Clean the area, monitor yourself for symptoms, and seek medical care if you develop any concerning signs. For detailed information, visit ourwildlife guidesor the completeTick in Missouriresource for identification and safety information.
Plan your tick sighting in Missouri
1,197 verified tick records have been logged in Missouri, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument · Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are Ticks in Missouri?+
Yes, ticks are well established throughout Missouri, particularly in wooded areas, forests, and brushy habitats statewide. The American dog tick is the most common species in Missouri, along with the Lone Star tick. While different from the northern deer tick, these species can transmit serious infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Missouri's forests, from the oak forests of the southern Ozarks to the hardwood forests of the northern regions and forests along the Missouri River, all support tick populations. Ticks are particularly abundant in the Ozark region, which covers a significant portion of southern and central Missouri. The forested areas throughout Missouri create ideal tick habitat. Spring through fall are the peak months for tick activity, though ticks can remain active year-round in Missouri's mild winters. Anyone spending time in Missouri's woods, hiking trails, or outdoor areas should assume ticks are present. Understanding tick presence and which species occur in Missouri helps you take appropriate precautions. For more on tick in Missouri, see ourMissouri tick guide.
How Dangerous Are Ticks?+
Tick bites in Missouri can be medically serious because these arachnids can transmit bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other infections. American dog ticks are the primary vectors of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Missouri. Lone Star ticks can transmit related illnesses. The actual risk depends on whether the tick carried disease organisms, how long it remained attached, and whether you seek prompt medical care. Many people bitten by ticks in Missouri do not develop illness. Many ticks do not carry disease. Most tick-borne illnesses are treatable with antibiotics when recognized early. Serious outcomes are uncommon, especially with prompt medical attention. The danger is real but manageable with swift action. Removing a tick within 24 hours significantly lowers your disease transmission risk. The key is not to panic but to respond promptly: remove the tick carefully, clean the area, monitor for symptoms, and seek medical care if needed. Swift action and awareness are your strongest defenses against tick-borne illness in Missouri. You can also browseMissouri wildlife.
More wildlife in Missouri