Are There Ticks in North Dakota?
Yes, ticks are present in North Dakota, particularly in wooded areas and grassland regions with adequate brush and moisture. The American dog tick is the most common species found throughout the state. Rocky Mountain wood ticks also occur in suitable habitat. Tick encounters in North Dakota are generally uncommon compared to eastern and midwestern states.
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
- 172
- GBIF records
Yes, ticks are in North Dakota. Next you'll want:
Yes, ticks are present in North Dakota, particularly in wooded areas and grassland regions with adequate brush and moisture. The American dog tick is the most common species found throughout the state. Rocky Mountain wood ticks also occur in suitable habitat. Tick encounters in North Dakota are generally uncommon compared to eastern and midwestern states.
Are they in North Dakota?
Ticks are present in North Dakota but are considerably less abundant than in eastern and midwestern states. The American dog tick is the most common species found in the state, particularly in areas with brush, grass, and moisture. Rocky Mountain wood ticks also occur in some wooded areas of North Dakota. Overall tick populations in North Dakota remain modest compared to states with extensive forests. The state's predominantly grassland and prairie landscape limits ideal tick habitat. Tick populations are concentrated in areas with adequate vegetation, moisture, and wildlife. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park area and surrounding grasslands in the badlands region support moderate tick populations. Forested areas along major river valleys, including portions of the Missouri River area, have higher tick densities. The open prairie regions covering much of central and western North Dakota have very few ticks. Residents of the vast prairie areas face minimal tick risk. Tick prevalence is highest in the northwestern and southern forested portions of the state. For people spending time inTick in North Dakotahabitats during warm months, some tick awareness is warranted. Most North Dakota residents enjoy substantially lower tick exposure compared to eastern states.
How dangerous is it?
Tick bites in North Dakota are generally of low medical concern. The American dog tick, the predominant species in the state, rarely transmits serious disease. Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmission is possible but extremely uncommon in North Dakota. Most tick bites cause nothing more than mild local irritation, slight redness, and perhaps slight itching at the bite site. Allergic reactions to tick bites are uncommon. North Dakota tick populations do not generally transmit Lyme disease, which makes tick encounters significantly less concerning than in eastern states. The actual risk to health from a single tick bite in North Dakota is minimal. Most tick bites resolve spontaneously without any treatment or complications. In healthy individuals, even in the rare circumstance of disease transmission, prompt medical attention ensures excellent outcomes. The reassuring reality is that tick bites in North Dakota pose little health threat. Basic removal and monitoring practices reduce any residual risk to nearly zero. Awareness and simple prevention measures are generally all that is necessary for safe outdoor activities in North Dakota. For more on tick in North Dakota, see ourNorth Dakota tick guide.
How to recognize one
American dog ticks in North Dakota are brown to reddish-brown with a distinctive silvery or tan shield-shaped marking behind the head. Unfed adults are roughly the size of a sesame seed and become noticeably larger, about the size of a small pea, when fully engorged with blood. Rocky Mountain wood ticks are similar in appearance but are typically larger and may be somewhat darker than American dog ticks. Both species have eight legs and a hard exterior shell. Ticks move slowly across skin and clothing. They prefer warm areas such as groin, underarms, behind ears, and neck areas. Engorged ticks become visibly swollen and change color, often becoming gray or slightly translucent. As ticks feed, they increase dramatically in size, becoming much easier to spot. You are most likely to find a tick crawling on your clothing or skin shortly after spending time in tick habitat. Ticks hide in tall grass, under rocks, in brush, and in areas with dense vegetation where they await passing animals or people. Early discovery and removal before deep attachment reduces any potential risk. You can also browseNorth Dakota wildlife.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily and straight away from the skin without jerking or twisting. Do not squeeze the tick body. Immediately clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic. Place the removed tick in a sealed container if you wish to keep it for identification. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or other ineffective removal methods that waste time. Watch the bite area over the following weeks for any unusual symptoms, though serious complications from North Dakota ticks are rare. Seek medical care if you develop fever, rash, or other symptoms weeks following a tick bite, though these are uncommon. 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. North Dakota healthcare providers can provide evaluation and appropriate care if any symptoms develop. See all of ourwildlife guides.
How to prevent encounters
Preventing tick encounters in North Dakota is straightforward and involves basic precautions for outdoor activities in brushy or grassy areas. Wear long sleeves and long pants when spending time in areas with brush, tall grass, or vegetation, particularly in the northern and southern forested regions. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots to create a barrier preventing ticks from crawling up your legs. Apply permethrin-based insecticide to clothing, shoes, and outdoor gear before venturing into potential tick habitat. Permethrin repels ticks effectively and is safe when applied only to fabric. Apply DEET-based insect repellent to exposed skin according to product directions. After outdoor time, perform a body check for ticks, paying special attention to warm areas. Shower and place worn clothing in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes to kill any ticks. Check pets and remove any ticks found. For most North Dakotans, outdoor activities on the open prairie require minimal tick-specific precautions. Hikers and outdoor fans venturing into forested river valleys or brushy areas should take these basic prevention measures during warm months. OurNorth Dakota wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Where in North Dakota and when
Ticks in North Dakota are found primarily in areas with vegetation, moisture, and wildlife. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park region and surrounding badlands have tick populations. Forested areas along the Missouri River valley support ticks. The northern wooded portions of the state have higher tick densities than southern regions. The open prairie regions covering much of central and western North Dakota have very few ticks. Riparian forests along major river systems have more ticks than surrounding prairie. Tick activity in North Dakota is sharply seasonal due to cold winters. Tick activity begins in late spring as temperatures warm, typically May or June. Nymph stage ticks are most abundant in June and July. Adult ticks become more prevalent in fall, typically September through October. Winter cold sharply reduces tick activity across the entire state by November. Some brief tick activity may occur during warm spells in spring and fall. The best time to protect yourself against ticks in North Dakota is during late spring and summer when outdoor activities are most common. Early detection and removal are key protection measures.
Harmless lookalikes
When you check your body for ticks after outdoor time in North Dakota, you may encounter small arthropods that are not ticks. Chiggers, which are parasitic mites, are more common than ticks in some grassland habitats and cause itching but transmit no serious disease. Fleas are small, dark insects that jump and rarely remain on human skin. Lice are parasites that live in hair and move quickly, appearing quite different from the slow-moving tick. Various species of harmless mites are abundant in soil and vegetation. Small spiders are common in grass and brush. When you find a small arthropod on your clothing or skin, the odds are good it is something harmless rather than a tick. Most small creatures people encounter outdoors do not attach to humans. Examining a questionable arthropod closely with tweezers or a magnifying glass often reveals it is not a tick. If you remain uncertain about an arthropod's identity, place it in a sealed container and contact your local county extension office in North Dakota for identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Are ticks deadly in North Dakota?** Tick-related deaths are exceptionally rare in North Dakota given the low prevalence of disease-carrying ticks. The ticks present here rarely transmit serious illness. **How common are tick bites in North Dakota?** Tick bites are uncommon in most of North Dakota, particularly in open prairie regions. People spending time in forested river valleys or brushy areas may encounter ticks during warm months. **What attracts ticks to a house?** Ticks do not actively seek houses; they hitchhike on pets, clothing, or wildlife. Checking yourself after outdoor time and treating pets prevents indoor ticks. **What should I do if I see one?** If you find a tick on clothing, brush it off before it attaches. If attached to skin, remove it with tweezers and clean the area. Visitwildlife in North Dakotaor your local health department for tick identification and health advice.
Plan your tick sighting in North Dakota
172 verified tick records have been logged in North Dakota, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in North Dakota
- Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in North Dakota?+
Ticks are present in North Dakota but are considerably less abundant than in eastern and midwestern states. The American dog tick is the most common species found in the state, particularly in areas with brush, grass, and moisture. Rocky Mountain wood ticks also occur in some wooded areas of North Dakota. Overall tick populations in North Dakota remain modest compared to states with extensive forests. The state's predominantly grassland and prairie landscape limits ideal tick habitat. Tick populations are concentrated in areas with adequate vegetation, moisture, and wildlife. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park area and surrounding grasslands in the badlands region support moderate tick populations. Forested areas along major river valleys, including portions of the Missouri River area, have higher tick densities. The open prairie regions covering much of central and western North Dakota have very few ticks. Residents of the vast prairie areas face minimal tick risk. Tick prevalence is highest in the northwestern and southern forested portions of the state. For people spending time inTick in North Dakotahabitats during warm months, some tick awareness is warranted. Most North Dakota residents enjoy substantially lower tick exposure compared to eastern states.
How dangerous is it?+
Tick bites in North Dakota are generally of low medical concern. The American dog tick, the predominant species in the state, rarely transmits serious disease. Rocky Mountain spotted fever transmission is possible but extremely uncommon in North Dakota. Most tick bites cause nothing more than mild local irritation, slight redness, and perhaps slight itching at the bite site. Allergic reactions to tick bites are uncommon. North Dakota tick populations do not generally transmit Lyme disease, which makes tick encounters significantly less concerning than in eastern states. The actual risk to health from a single tick bite in North Dakota is minimal. Most tick bites resolve spontaneously without any treatment or complications. In healthy individuals, even in the rare circumstance of disease transmission, prompt medical attention ensures excellent outcomes. The reassuring reality is that tick bites in North Dakota pose little health threat. Basic removal and monitoring practices reduce any residual risk to nearly zero. Awareness and simple prevention measures are generally all that is necessary for safe outdoor activities in North Dakota. For more on tick in North Dakota, see ourNorth Dakota tick guide.
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