Tick season in Missouri refers to the extended period when these small arachnids are most active, seeking hosts for blood meals. Given Missouri’s diverse natural landscapes, from dense woodlands to open fields, encounters with ticks are common for those spending time outdoors. This period of heightened activity highlights the importance of awareness and preventive measures to minimize potential health risks.
Missouri’s Tick Activity Calendar
Ticks in Missouri are active across a significant portion of the year, extending beyond just the summer months. While most are particularly active from April through July, they can be encountered almost any time temperatures are above freezing.
Environmental factors primarily drive tick activity. Ticks become more active once temperatures consistently exceed 40°F, and high humidity provides an ideal environment. These conditions allow them to spend more time waiting on vegetation for a host. Ticks are commonly found in woodlands, tall grasses, brushy areas, and along the edges where fields meet forests.
Key Tick Species and Their Peak Times
Missouri is home to several common tick species, each with distinct peak activity periods.
Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum)
This tick is widespread across the state. Adults and nymphs are active from early spring through mid-summer, while larvae are more prevalent from late summer through early fall. Lone Star Ticks are often found in wooded areas and grassy environments.
American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis)
Also very common throughout Missouri, adult American Dog Ticks are active from April to early August. Nymphs are most active during July and August. These ticks frequently inhabit tall grasses, low-lying brush, and trails.
Blacklegged Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Also known as the Deer Tick, this species is increasingly common in Missouri, particularly in southern regions. Adults are active during both spring and fall, and can even be found on warm winter days. Nymphs are most active in late spring and early summer. Blacklegged Ticks are relatively small and prefer wooded areas and overgrown vegetation.
Health Concerns During Tick Season
Ticks can transmit various pathogens that cause diseases in humans. In Missouri, common tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Lyme disease (or a Lyme-like illness), and the Heartland and Bourbon viruses.
The majority of these cases occur during the warmer months, typically from May through July. Symptoms often include sudden fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes a rash. Not every tick carries disease, so a tick bite does not guarantee infection. Prompt removal of an attached tick significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission.
Staying Safe from Ticks
Taking preventative measures is effective in reducing the risk of tick bites. When spending time outdoors, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants. Tucking pant legs into socks makes ticks easier to spot and prevents them from reaching skin. Apply EPA-approved insect repellents containing DEET (20-30%), picaridin, or permethrin (applied to clothing).
Avoid tick-infested areas like tall grass, dense brush, and leaf litter, and stay in the center of trails while hiking. Maintaining your yard by keeping lawns mowed short and clearing leaf litter also helps reduce tick habitats.
After outdoor activities, perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets, focusing on areas like the scalp, ears, armpits, and groin. Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks.
If a tick is found, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull upward with steady, even pressure, avoiding twisting or jerking. Clean the bite area with soap and water after removal.