Best Time to See Ticks in Missouri
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Missouri. Based on 1,812 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Missouri.
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
1,812 verified observations of ticks in Missouri, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Missouri
Peak month
May
561 records (31% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 0.4% |
| February | 10 | 0.6% |
| March | 110 | 6.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 312 | 17.2% |
| Maypeak | 561 | 31% |
| Junepeak | 460 | 25.4% |
| July | 228 | 12.6% |
| August | 57 | 3.1% |
| September | 26 | 1.4% |
| October | 14 | 0.8% |
| November | 19 | 1% |
| December | 8 | 0.4% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lone Star Tick | 1,106 |
| American Dog Tick | 397 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 72 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 66 |
| Alectorobius kelleyi | 9 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 2 |
| Mammal Soft Ticks | 1 |
| Winter tick | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Missouri
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 86 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 27°F | 3" |
| Feb | 45°F | 25°F | 3.2" |
| Mar | 57°F | 37°F | 5.6" |
| Aprbest time | 67°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 74°F | 56°F | 5.9" |
| Junbest time | 86°F | 65°F | 4.3" |
| Jul | 90°F | 70°F | 4.2" |
| Aug | 88°F | 69°F | 5.1" |
| Sep | 84°F | 63°F | 2.2" |
| Oct | 68°F | 49°F | 5" |
| Nov | 57°F | 38°F | 2.1" |
| Dec | 50°F | 32°F | 2.1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Missouri. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on ticks in Missouri:
Sightings of ticks in Missouri peak in May, when 561 of the year's 1,812 verified observations are logged — about 31% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, December and February, when ticks are hardest to find — January sees just 7 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 Missouri 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 Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument — National Monument
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways — National Scenic Riverways
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Missouri?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 1,812 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Missouri?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in Missouri, with only 7 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in Missouri?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Missouri, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Missouri