Best Time to See Ticks in New Jersey
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in New Jersey. Based on 3,103 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in New Jersey.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 21, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
3,103 verified observations of ticks in New Jersey, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in New Jersey
Peak month
May
920 records (29.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15 | 0.5% |
| February | 9 | 0.3% |
| March | 127 | 4.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 478 | 15.4% |
| Maypeak | 920 | 29.6% |
| Junepeak | 910 | 29.3% |
| July | 365 | 11.8% |
| August | 91 | 2.9% |
| September | 32 | 1% |
| October | 49 | 1.6% |
| November | 93 | 3% |
| December | 14 | 0.5% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lone Star Tick | 1,235 |
| American Dog Tick | 1,107 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 479 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 21 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 11 |
| Rabbit Tick | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New Jersey
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 44 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F | 28°F | 3.4" |
| Feb | 45°F | 29°F | 3.5" |
| Mar | 54°F | 35°F | 4.3" |
| Aprbest time | 63°F | 44°F | 4.6" |
| Maybest time | 72°F | 53°F | 4.1" |
| Junbest time | 82°F | 63°F | 4.1" |
| Jul | 88°F | 70°F | 5.2" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 4.3" |
| Sep | 78°F | 61°F | 4.4" |
| Oct | 68°F | 52°F | 4.7" |
| Nov | 55°F | 39°F | 3" |
| Dec | 46°F | 32°F | 4.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New Jersey. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of ticks in New Jersey peak in May, when 920 of the year's 3,103 verified observations are logged — about 29.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is February, when ticks are hardest to find — February sees just 9 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 New Jersey 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in New Jersey?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 3,103 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in New Jersey?+
February is the quietest month for ticks in New Jersey, with only 9 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in New Jersey?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New Jersey, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in New Jersey