Best Time to See Ticks in Wisconsin
May, June and April is the best time to see ticks in Wisconsin. Based on 1,623 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when ticks are most active across the year in Wisconsin.
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
1,623 verified observations of ticks in Wisconsin, recorded across 11 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When ticks are recorded in Wisconsin
Peak month
May
555 records (34.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 8 | 0.5% |
| March | 51 | 3.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 258 | 15.9% |
| Maypeak | 555 | 34.2% |
| Junepeak | 424 | 26.1% |
| July | 163 | 10% |
| August | 25 | 1.5% |
| September | 16 | 1% |
| October | 77 | 4.7% |
| November | 44 | 2.7% |
| December | 2 | 0.1% |
Ticks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Dog Tick | 1,012 |
| Eastern Black-legged Tick | 517 |
| Lone Star Tick | 18 |
| Alectorobius kelleyi | 5 |
| Gulf Coast Tick | 2 |
| Brown Dog Tick | 1 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Wisconsin
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 32 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25°F | 10°F | 1.4" |
| Feb | 25°F | 7°F | 2" |
| Mar | 40°F | 21°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 52°F | 32°F | 3.9" |
| Maybest time | 65°F | 45°F | 3.4" |
| Junbest time | 77°F | 57°F | 3.8" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.5" |
| Aug | 77°F | 60°F | 3.5" |
| Sep | 70°F | 53°F | 3" |
| Oct | 55°F | 40°F | 3.3" |
| Nov | 41°F | 27°F | 2.4" |
| Dec | 32°F | 17°F | 1.9" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Wisconsin. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on ticks in Wisconsin:
Sightings of ticks in Wisconsin peak in May, when 555 of the year's 1,623 verified observations are logged — about 34.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and April.
The quietest stretch is January, when ticks are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The ticks you are most likely to encounter in Wisconsin are American Dog Tick, Eastern Black-legged 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.
Where to go
Best places to see ticks in Wisconsin
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — National Lakeshore
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway — National Scenic Riverway
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see ticks in Wisconsin?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and April, based on 1,623 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are ticks hardest to see in Wisconsin?+
January is the quietest month for ticks in Wisconsin, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are ticks active year-round in Wisconsin?+
Ticks are recorded in 11 of 12 months in Wisconsin, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see ticks
More wildlife in Wisconsin