Best Time to See Ticks in New York
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in New York. Based on 3,631 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in New York.
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
3,631 verified observations of ticks in New York, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in New York
Peak month
May
943 records (26% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17 | 0.5% |
| February | 40 | 1.1% |
| March | 191 | 5.3% |
| Aprilpeak | 596 | 16.4% |
| Maypeak | 943 | 26% |
| Junepeak | 773 | 21.3% |
| July | 437 | 12% |
| August | 120 | 3.3% |
| September | 54 | 1.5% |
| October | 249 | 6.9% |
| November | 173 | 4.8% |
| December | 38 | 1% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 1,560 |
| American Dog Tick | 1,179 |
| Lone Star Tick | 390 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 61 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 37 |
| Rabbit Tick | 5 |
| Ixodes dentatus | 3 |
| Winter tick | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in New York
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 34 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 15°F | 3.7" |
| Feb | 32°F | 16°F | 3.6" |
| Mar | 41°F | 23°F | 3.8" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 34°F | 4.9" |
| Maybest time | 63°F | 45°F | 3.9" |
| Junbest time | 72°F | 55°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 77°F | 61°F | 5.3" |
| Aug | 75°F | 60°F | 5.3" |
| Sep | 68°F | 53°F | 3.4" |
| Oct | 58°F | 44°F | 5.1" |
| Nov | 43°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Dec | 36°F | 24°F | 4.7" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for New York. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of ticks in New York peak in May, when 943 of the year's 3,631 verified observations are logged — about 26% 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 New York are Eastern Black-legged Tick, American Dog Tick and Lone Star 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 York?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 3,631 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in New York?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in New York, with only 17 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in New York?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in New York, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in New York