Tick Bites Are Surging in 2026 — And Fall Could Make It Worse

If you think tick season is almost over because summer is ending, you may want to think again.

Tick-bite activity has been unusually high in 2026, and cooler weather doesn't necessarily mean the risk is gone. In fact, fall is another important period for blacklegged ticks, the species responsible for transmitting Lyme disease across much of the eastern United States.

Adult blacklegged ticks become more active during the fall and can remain active surprisingly late into the year when conditions allow.

Here's what you need to know about fall tick season in 2026, why Lyme disease isn't the only infection to consider, and how to protect yourself without becoming afraid to spend time outside.

Tick Bites Have Been Unusually High in 2026

CDC surveillance of emergency department visits for tick bites has shown unusually high activity during parts of 2026.

April saw particularly high tick-bite activity, and elevated activity continued into the summer. By late August, tick-bite emergency department visits were still running at roughly 34 visits per 100,000 emergency department visits nationally.

Some states have also reported increased tick activity. In Connecticut, for example, tick submissions through July were reportedly well above the state's 10-year average.

Emergency department data doesn't capture every tick bite, of course. Most people who find a tick never visit an emergency room.

Instead, the data provides another window into how much tick exposure is occurring — and 2026 has provided plenty of reason to pay attention.

Does Tick Season End in the Fall?

No. One of the biggest misconceptions about ticks is that the danger disappears once summer ends.

The life cycle of the blacklegged tick helps explain why.

Nymphal blacklegged ticks are particularly active during the spring and summer. Because nymphs are extremely small and difficult to see, they're responsible for many human Lyme disease infections.

But adult blacklegged ticks become more active again during the fall.

According to the CDC, adult blacklegged ticks are most active during the early spring and fall. They can even remain active during winter when temperatures rise above freezing.

That means September, October and even later in the year can still bring tick exposure.

Activities that can put you in contact with ticks include:

• Hiking or walking through wooded, brushy or grassy areas
• Doing yard work, gardening or handling fallen leaves
• Spending time around the edges of lawns, woods and other tick habitat

You don't have to be hiking deep in the wilderness to encounter a tick. Tick bites can happen surprisingly close to home.

Fall Ticks and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi group and is transmitted to humans primarily through infected blacklegged ticks.

The longer an infected tick remains attached, the greater the opportunity for transmission.

The CDC notes that, in general, infected blacklegged ticks need to be attached for more than 24 hours before they can transmit Lyme disease. That's one reason regular tick checks and prompt removal are so important.

Finding an attached tick doesn't automatically mean you're going to develop Lyme disease.

Risk depends on several factors, including the tick species, whether the tick was infected, how long it was attached and where the exposure occurred.

But Lyme disease also isn't the only reason to take blacklegged ticks seriously.

Blacklegged Ticks Can Transmit More Than Lyme Disease

Depending on geographic location, blacklegged ticks can transmit pathogens associated with several illnesses, including:

• Lyme disease
• Anaplasmosis
• Babesiosis
• Borrelia miyamotoi disease
• Powassan virus disease

Other tick species found throughout the United States can transmit additional diseases.

This doesn't mean every tick is carrying multiple pathogens — or that every tick bite should cause panic.

It simply means that preventing tick bites and recognizing potential symptoms after a bite remains worthwhile, even after the traditional summer tick season has passed.

How to Prevent Tick Bites This Fall

You don't need to avoid the outdoors to reduce your risk.

A few basic habits can make it much easier to find ticks before they've been attached for an extended period.

When spending time in areas where ticks may be present, consider using an EPA-registered insect repellent and wearing clothing or gear treated with 0.5% permethrin according to product directions.

Once you return indoors, check yourself carefully for ticks. Parents should also check children, and pets should be checked after spending time outdoors.

Pay particular attention to areas where ticks can easily hide, including:

• Around the waist, groin, armpits and behind the knees
• Around and behind the ears
• Along the scalp and throughout the hair

Showering soon after returning indoors can also provide an opportunity to find ticks that haven't yet attached.

The goal isn't perfection. It's simply making tick checks part of your routine when you've been somewhere exposure is possible.

What Should You Do If You Find an Attached Tick?

If you discover an attached tick, remove it as soon as possible.

There's generally no reason to leave an attached tick in place while waiting for a doctor's appointment.

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the surface of the skin as possible. Pull upward using steady, even pressure rather than twisting or jerking the tick.

After removal, clean the bite area and your hands.

Avoid folk remedies intended to make a tick detach on its own. Prompt physical removal is the priority.

Depending on the species of tick, geographic location, estimated attachment time and other circumstances, a healthcare provider may recommend antibiotic prophylaxis after certain high-risk tick bites.

If you're unsure about your risk, contact a qualified healthcare professional rather than assuming that every bite requires treatment — or that no treatment is necessary.

What Symptoms Should You Watch for After a Tick Bite?

Finding a tick can understandably make people anxious, but symptoms and circumstances matter.

After a tick bite, pay attention to how you feel over the following days and weeks.

Potential signs of a tick-borne illness can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, swollen lymph nodes or a new rash.

The classic expanding erythema migrans rash associated with Lyme disease is an important sign, but Lyme rashes don't always look like a textbook "bull's-eye."

If you develop concerning symptoms after a known or suspected tick bite, tell your healthcare provider about the possible tick exposure.

The Bottom Line: Don't Let Your Guard Down This Fall

Summer ending does not mean tick season is over.

Tick-bite activity has been unusually high during parts of 2026, and adult blacklegged ticks become active again during the fall.

That doesn't mean you need to be afraid of going outside.

Know where ticks live. Use appropriate prevention when necessary. Check yourself after spending time outdoors. And if you find an attached tick, remove it promptly.

Those simple habits can go a long way toward reducing your risk.

And if you're already dealing with Lyme disease and feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting information about what to do next, I'm hosting a completely free 4-Day Lyme Recovery Experience beginning September 21.

We'll break Lyme recovery down into a simpler, step-by-step approach and focus on what actually deserves your attention.

Register free at LymeWars.com/live.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Tick Season

Are ticks still active in the fall?

Yes. Adult blacklegged ticks become particularly active during the fall. Depending on weather conditions, ticks can remain active late into the year and may even be active during winter when temperatures are above freezing.

When does tick season end?

There isn't one universal date when tick season ends. Tick activity depends on tick species, life stage, geographic location and weather. In areas where blacklegged ticks are common, exposure can occur during fall and sometimes winter.

Can you get Lyme disease from a tick bite in the fall?

Yes. Infected blacklegged ticks can transmit Lyme disease during the fall. Adult blacklegged ticks are active during this period, so Lyme disease prevention remains important after summer.

How long does a tick need to be attached to transmit Lyme disease?

According to the CDC, in general, an infected blacklegged tick needs to be attached for more than 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease. Transmission risk generally increases the longer an infected tick remains attached, which is why prompt removal matters.

What is the best way to remove a tick?

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward using steady, even pressure. Afterward, clean the bite area and your hands.

Should I take antibiotics after a tick bite?

Not every tick bite requires antibiotics. In certain circumstances, healthcare providers may recommend preventive antibiotic treatment following a high-risk bite. Factors such as tick species, geographic location and attachment duration can influence the decision. Talk with a healthcare professional about your specific situation.

Can ticks survive cold weather?

Yes. Cold weather doesn't automatically eliminate ticks. Blacklegged ticks can remain active when temperatures are above freezing, which is why tick exposure can occur outside the traditional spring and summer months.

What diseases can blacklegged ticks transmit besides Lyme disease?

Blacklegged ticks can transmit pathogens associated with anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease and Powassan virus disease in addition to Lyme disease. Which pathogens are present varies geographically.