Best Time to See Ticks in Washington
May, April and June is the best time to see ticks in Washington. Based on 656 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Washington.
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
656 verified observations of ticks in Washington, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Washington
Peak month
May
234 records (35.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 1.1% |
| February | 5 | 0.8% |
| March | 43 | 6.6% |
| Aprilpeak | 136 | 20.7% |
| Maypeak | 234 | 35.7% |
| Junepeak | 130 | 19.8% |
| July | 49 | 7.5% |
| August | 16 | 2.4% |
| September | 15 | 2.3% |
| October | 11 | 1.7% |
| November | 10 | 1.5% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Western Black-legged Tick | 125 |
| Rocky Mountain Wood Tick | 112 |
| American Dog Tick | 105 |
| Western Dog Tick | 41 |
| Winter tick | 3 |
| Pacific Coast Tick | 1 |
| Lone Star Tick | 1 |
| Pepper Ticks | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Washington
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 33 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 24°F | 4.5" |
| Feb | 36°F | 22°F | 2.8" |
| Mar | 46°F | 28°F | 1.2" |
| Aprbest time | 56°F | 33°F | 1.3" |
| Maybest time | 67°F | 44°F | 1.2" |
| Junbest time | 76°F | 51°F | 0.9" |
| Jul | 86°F | 57°F | 0.2" |
| Aug | 86°F | 58°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 74°F | 50°F | 1.1" |
| Oct | 59°F | 39°F | 1.7" |
| Nov | 42°F | 29°F | 3.6" |
| Dec | 33°F | 23°F | 3.6" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Washington. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on ticks in Washington:
Sightings of ticks in Washington peak in May, when 234 of the year's 656 verified observations are logged — about 35.7% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is December, when ticks are hardest to find — no verified records exist for December. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in Washington are Western Black-legged Tick, Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and American Dog 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 Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve — National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park — National Park
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Washington?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 656 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Washington?+
December is the quietest month for ticks in Washington, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are ticks active year-round in Washington?+
Ticks are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Washington, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Washington