Best Time to See Ticks in Tennessee
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Tennessee. Based on 1,574 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Tennessee.
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
1,574 verified observations of ticks in Tennessee, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Tennessee
Peak month
May
421 records (26.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10 | 0.6% |
| February | 24 | 1.5% |
| March | 97 | 6.2% |
| Aprilpeak | 278 | 17.7% |
| Maypeak | 421 | 26.7% |
| Junepeak | 360 | 22.9% |
| July | 227 | 14.4% |
| August | 58 | 3.7% |
| September | 30 | 1.9% |
| October | 17 | 1.1% |
| November | 29 | 1.8% |
| December | 23 | 1.5% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Lone Star Tick | 630 |
| American Dog Tick | 568 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 128 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 101 |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | 2 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Tennessee
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 48 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49°F | 33°F | 6" |
| Feb | 54°F | 36°F | 7.3" |
| Mar | 62°F | 42°F | 7.5" |
| Aprbest time | 68°F | 48°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 58°F | 5.3" |
| Junbest time | 84°F | 65°F | 6.2" |
| Jul | 87°F | 70°F | 7.4" |
| Aug | 86°F | 69°F | 8.3" |
| Sep | 82°F | 64°F | 3.2" |
| Oct | 72°F | 53°F | 4.8" |
| Nov | 59°F | 41°F | 2.9" |
| Dec | 54°F | 38°F | 5.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Tennessee. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on ticks in Tennessee:
Sightings of ticks in Tennessee peak in May, when 421 of the year's 1,574 verified observations are logged — about 26.7% 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 10 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area — National River & Recreation Area
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park — National Park
- Natchez Trace Parkway — Parkway
- Obed Wild & Scenic River — Wild & Scenic River
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Tennessee?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 1,574 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Tennessee?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in Tennessee, with only 10 verified records.
Are ticks active year-round in Tennessee?+
Ticks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Tennessee, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Tennessee