Tick Season in Minnesota: What You Need to Know

If you spend time outdoors in Minnesota, whether you are hiking a state park trail, working a forestry crew, walking your dog through tall grass, or simply enjoying your backyard, ticks are not a seasonal nuisance you can afford to ignore. They are a year-round health risk, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most active tick years in recent memory.

Minnesota Is Ground Zero for Tick-Borne Disease

Minnesota is not just a high-risk state for ticks. It is one of the highest-risk states in the entire country. In 2024, the Minnesota Department of Health identified 3,551 probable Lyme disease cases, a rate of 60.8 cases per 100,000 residents. That is a sharp increase from 2,938 cases in 2023 and 2,685 in 2022. The trend is clear and it is moving in the wrong direction.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted primarily through the bite of the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick. But Lyme is not the only threat. The same tick also carries the pathogens responsible for anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and a strain of Powassan virus. According to Chisago County public health data, approximately 40% of blacklegged ticks in Minnesota are infected with at least one disease-causing pathogen.

When Are Ticks Most Active?

Ticks in Minnesota are active any time temperatures rise above freezing. In 2026, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) recorded the first deer tick of the season on March 9th, well before most Minnesotans are thinking about outdoor safety. Here is a general guide to tick activity throughout the year:

Season	Tick Activity	Primary Concern
Early Spring (March to April)	Adult blacklegged ticks emerge	Lyme disease, anaplasmosis
Late Spring to Midsummer (May to July)	Nymphal ticks at peak activity	Highest transmission risk; nymphs are tiny and hard to spot
Late Summer to Fall (August to October)	Adult ticks resurge	Lyme disease, Powassan virus
Winter (November to February)	Low but not zero activity	Ticks can be active on warm days above 32 degrees F

Nymphal ticks, which are roughly the size of a poppy seed, are responsible for the majority of Lyme disease transmissions because they are so difficult to detect. Their peak activity runs from mid-May through mid-July, which aligns almost exactly with the onset of outdoor recreation season in Minnesota.

2026: A Higher-Risk Year

MMCD Tick Specialist Janet Jarnefeld has noted that nymphal deer ticks may carry a higher prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in 2026 than in previous years. This is tied to the tick life cycle. Larval tick activity has been trending later into the fall in recent years, which means more nymphs emerge the following spring already infected. Combined with a climate-driven rise in emergency room visits for tick bites reported by MPR News in June 2026, this is a year to take tick prevention seriously.

Where Are Ticks Found in Minnesota?

Blacklegged ticks are most common in wooded and brushy areas with leaf litter, but they are increasingly found in suburban parks, golf courses, and even well-maintained lawns that border wooded edges. High-risk counties include those in north-central, east-central, and southeast Minnesota. American dog ticks, a second common species, are found statewide and are most active in spring and early summer along grassy trails and roadsides.

What to Do If You Find a Tick

Time is critical. The risk of Lyme disease transmission increases significantly if a tick has been attached for more than 36 to 48 hours. Here is the proper removal process:

Use fine-tipped tweezers or a dedicated tick removal tool to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk.
After removing the tick, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
Save the tick in a sealed bag for identification if symptoms develop.
Monitor for symptoms including a bull’s-eye rash, fever, fatigue, or joint pain for 30 days.

Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, or nail polish to remove a tick. These methods are ineffective and can increase the risk of infection.

Be Prepared Before You Head Out

The best defense against tick-borne illness is preparation. Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot, tuck pants into socks in wooded areas, apply EPA-registered repellents containing DEET or picaridin, and always do a full-body tick check after time outdoors.

The Trail Ready Solutions Tick Removal Kit puts every tool you need in one rugged, field-ready MOLLE pouch: precision removal tools, a stainless steel comb for thorough hair checks, and a magnifying glass and mirror for identification. Whether you are a weekend hiker, a DNR field worker, or a parent sending kids out to play, being prepared is the most powerful thing you can do.

Stay vigilant. Your health is worth it.

Sources: Minnesota Department of Health Lyme Disease Annual Summary (2024); Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Spring 2026 Update; MPR News, “Ticks are thriving in Minnesota. Experts explain why.” (June 4, 2026); Chisago County, MN Public Health.