The fall signs are returning. The air feels crisp, the sweaters are out, the leaves are peeping and we start thinking its time for the bugs to take their vacation. It’s easy to think of tick season as something that is behind us. They thrive on heat and sun, right?
Not quite!
Fall is actually an important time to reestablish your your tick-check routine as you might be thinking cold = less bugs. We New Englanders like to think we have some reprieve from critters during the winter. In many areas, however, especially New England, adult ticks remain active in the autumn months. While they may be tiny, ticks are experts at waiting for the right opportunity to find a host — and that host could be you, your child, or your four-legged family member.
Why are ticks so active in the fall?
Let's bust a myth real quick. Ticks don't drop when the temperature does. Ticks continue looking for a place to get their next meal before winter arrives. A blood meal from a host can provide the nourishment they need to survive and continue their life cycle. In fact, ticks can live up to 2-3 years by becoming dormant in the winter and bouncing back in the spring!
Furthermore, as climate change contributes to warmer winters, active ticks in all seasons are more common. Blacklegged ticks (also called deer ticks) can remain active whenever temperatures are above freezing, even late into winter. They can be more prevalent during warm spells and all ticks may be found in leaf litter, tall grass, brush, and wooded areas.
Although many bugs do die off for the season, ticks are not part of that group so we must stay cautious during out time outdoors.
Are you checking less often?
This is one of the biggest reasons fall catches people off guard and open to tick bites.
During the summer, many of us are more aware of ticks. We're spending lots of time hiking, camping, swimming, gardening, and playing outside, so checking for ticks becomes part of the routine.
But once school starts and the weather cools down, our attention shifts. We put on long pants and jackets, spend a little less time outdoors, and may assume that ticks aren't much of a concern anymore. But as we established, that isn't the case in 2026 and beyond.
After playing outside, hiking, gardening, or spending time in wooded or brushy areas, take a few minutes to check yourself and your children. Pay particular attention to areas where ticks like to hide, including behind the knees, around the waist, in the armpits, behind the ears, along the hairline, and in and around the groin.
And don't forget to check your pets!
Fun Fall Fact #1: Leaves can actually make ticks harder to spot
That beautiful carpet of autumn leaves is one of the places where ticks can hang out. Leaf litter provides a cool, moist environment that helps protect ticks from drying out.
This doesn't mean you, your kids, or your pets need to avoid playing in leaves! It simply means that leaf piles and wooded areas are a good reason to remember your tick check afterward.
Fun Fall Fact #2: Ticks don't jump or fly
Despite how it sometimes feels when you discover one crawling on you, ticks don't fly, jump, or launch themselves through the air.
Instead, they use a behavior called questing. A tick climbs onto grass, leaves, or low vegetation and holds out its legs, waiting for a passing host. When you brush against the vegetation, the tick grabs on.
That's why staying on cleared trails and avoiding brushing against tall grass and brush can help reduce your chances of picking one up. Long clothing can help, but you don't want them sticking to clothes and then hitching a ride to your house.
Keep the tick check part of your fall routine
Think of it like taking off muddy shoes, washing your hands, or checking your backpack before coming inside. A quick tick check can become just another part of the outdoor routine. It takes a minute or two and prevents potentially weeks of dealing with Lyme Disease or other tick-borne illnesses.
Outside → Inside → Tick Check!
Fall is a wonderful time to be outdoors. Go hiking. Jump in the leaves. Explore the woods. Collect acorns. Enjoy the crisp air and beautiful colors.
Just don't let the cooler weather fool you into thinking tick season is over.
Keep exploring, keep checking, and make tick checks part of your fall routine!
