Tick Season in the Adirondacks: When It Starts, Where They Hide, and How to Protect Your Family (and Pets)

Tick season in the Adirondacks starts earlier than most people think. In Upstate New York, ticks can become active anytime temperatures rise above freezing—meaning early spring through late fall (and even mild winter days) can bring exposure.

When Tick Season Starts

Tick activity ramps up in early spring, peaks through summer, and continues into fall. The highest risk is often late spring and early summer, when tiny nymph ticks are active and hardest to spot.

Where Ticks Hide

Ticks don’t just live deep in the woods—they thrive around homes and yards, especially in:

• Wooded edges and tree lines
• Tall grass and overgrown areas
• Leaf litter and brush piles
• Stone walls and woodpiles
• Trail edges and lakefront paths
• Areas where pets and wildlife travel

Adirondack properties with woods, cabins, or shoreline access tend to have higher exposure.

How to Protect Your Family

Simple prevention goes a long way:

• Wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing
• Use EPA-approved tick repellents
• Stay in the center of trails
• Perform full-body tick checks after being outdoors
• Shower soon after coming inside

Protecting Pets

Pets can carry ticks indoors, increasing risk for your family. Be sure to:

• Use vet-recommended tick prevention
• Check pets after outdoor activity
• Inspect ears, belly, and between toes
• Limit time in brushy or wooded areas

Reduce Ticks Around Your Property

Make your yard less attractive to ticks:

• Keep grass cut short
• Remove leaves and brush
• Trim back wooded edges
• Stack firewood neatly and dry
• Reduce rodent hiding spots

When to Be Concerned

Ticks in New York can carry diseases like Lyme disease. If you experience symptoms like rash, fever, or fatigue after a bite, contact a medical professional.

Final Takeaway

Tick season in the Adirondacks isn’t just a summer issue—it’s a long season that requires early and ongoing prevention. Protecting your family means combining personal protection, pet care, and property management.