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Tick season did not get the memo
It is November in Vermont. Stick season is in full swing-the leaves are down, the wood stove is on, and the ticks are still out here acting like they pay rent.
This is our first fall in Vermont, and we assumed tick season would pack up with the leaf peepers. It did not. We are seeing a lot of ticks right now, and we were not used to seeing them this late in the year in our previous state. So we looked into it, and here is what we found.
The Vermont Department of Health says blacklegged tick activity climbs again in October and November, when adult females look for one more host before winter. They can turn up any time it is above freezing. So a 40-degree afternoon is not a tick-free afternoon. It is a buffet with better parking.
Here is what tick season looks like around the country, what your prevention options are, and what each one can and cannot do. No fear-mongering, no miracle cures, and no vinegar-based nonsense presented as science.
Tick season by region
The short version: your zip code decides which ticks you get, and in warm areas they barely take a day off. Timing shifts with weather and local wildlife, so treat this as a guide and not a calendar.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
Ticks to know: Blacklegged (deer), American dog, brown dog, and lone star (spreading north)
Main concerns for dogs: Lyme and anaplasmosis
When to watch: Spring and fall peaks, and any day above freezing
Upper Midwest
Ticks to know: Blacklegged, American dog, and brown dog
Main concerns for dogs: Lyme and anaplasmosis
When to watch: Early spring to late fall
Southeast and Gulf
Ticks to know: Lone star, Gulf Coast, American dog, and brown dog
Main concerns for dogs: Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and hepatozoonosis
When to watch: Late winter to late fall, sometimes all year
South Central and Southwest
Ticks to know: Brown dog, lone star, and spinose ear tick
Main concerns for dogs: Ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
When to watch: A long season, and brown dog ticks can live indoors
Rocky Mountains
Ticks to know: Rocky Mountain wood tick and brown dog
Main concerns for dogs: Rocky Mountain spotted fever
When to watch: Mostly spring into summer at elevation
Pacific Coast
Ticks to know: Western blacklegged, Pacific Coast tick, and brown dog
Main concerns for dogs: Lyme and anaplasmosis
When to watch: A long season in mild coastal areas
Species ranges come from PetMD, the CDC's tickborne disease manual, and the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). CAPC also warns that tick ranges keep moving, so "we don't get those here" has a short shelf life.
Our backyard: Vermont
Vermont is blacklegged tick country, and the state's numbers are not subtle:
94% of ticks collected in state surveillance were blacklegged ticks.
99% of tick bite illnesses reported in Vermont trace back to them.
56.7% of adult blacklegged ticks tested carried the Lyme bacteria, compared with 24% of nymphs.
May and June bring the nymphs. October and November bring the adults.
American dog ticks are typically active April through September. So if you are pulling ticks off your dog in Vermont in November, assume they are blacklegged until proven otherwise. Lone star ticks are not considered established here yet, though the state is keeping watch.
Look where your dog actually goes: wooded edges, tall grass, brush, and the leaf pile you keep promising to deal with.
A quick disclaimer: not everyone lives in our backyard
What we describe here is what one dog-loving household is seeing in Vermont, backed by Vermont data. Your area may have different ticks, different diseases, and a very different calendar. Please use our experience as a starting point, not a forecast for your yard.
Here is where to get information for your area:
Your veterinarian: Your best first stop. Your vet knows what is showing up locally and can match prevention to your dog's health and habits.
CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps: See how many dogs have tested positive for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis by state and county. Remember that low prevalence does not mean none.
CAPC 30-Day Parasite Forecast Maps: Check petdiseasealerts.org for county-level forecasts of tick-borne diseases in dogs.
CDC: Where Ticks Live: Find general maps of major tick species, plus a link to county-level tick surveillance. These maps focus on ticks that bite people, and ticks can turn up outside the shaded areas.
TickEncounter Field Guide: Use this University of Rhode Island resource to identify a tick and learn when different species and life stages are active.
Your state health department or agriculture agency: Search your state's name plus "tick" or "tick surveillance." Many states share local data and prevention advice, and some offer tick identification.
Your county Cooperative Extension office: Search your county's name plus "Cooperative Extension ticks" for local advice on your yard and landscape.
Where dogs and people actually pick up ticks
Here is our situation: we have not been finding ticks on our dogs. We have been finding them in our house. Apparently our dogs have opened a shuttle service, and business is booming.
We also love hiking with Cologio and Snoopy, which means four more legs per dog for ticks to climb and two more humans for them to choose from. A tick does not care whether you are a Lab or a person in expensive boots. Ticks do not jump or fly. They wait on low plants or in leaf litter with their front legs out, then grab whatever brushes past.
Trail edges: Young ticks sit in leaf litter, and adults wait shin-to-knee high on low plants. Walk the middle of the trail, and keep your dog there too.
Fallen logs and stone walls: In one study, 87% of logs checked had at least one tick, and stone walls are also mouse hideouts. Find a better snack spot.
Leaf piles and forest floor: The same study found that sitting or kneeling raised the risk far more than walking. Do not sit in the leaves, and discourage the full-body leaf roll.
Where lawn meets woods: Brushy yard edges are prime pickup zones. Add a wood chip or gravel border.
Tall grass, meadows, and farm fields: CAPC says American dog and Gulf Coast ticks favor grassy, open areas. Check everyone after field walks, especially in warmer months.
Animal paths: Ticks gather along wildlife routes, like deer trails. Do not let your dog follow every interesting smell into the brush.
Dogs have one big disadvantage here: nobody has explained the middle of the trail to them. Your dog's nose goes into the brush, the leaves, and every suspicious log. CAPC notes that keeping dogs leashed also limits tick risk, so the leash is doing more than preventing a squirrel incident.
Does the local wildlife matter?
Yes, a lot. Ticks are generally most abundant where their host animals are, and each animal plays a different role in the tick story.
White-footed mice and chipmunks: These are the most effective animals at passing Lyme and other pathogens to young ticks. Long-term research found that a big mouse year was followed by about 40% more nymphs.
White-tailed deer: Adult blacklegged ticks strongly prefer them. Deer help keep the tick population going and move ticks around, including into your yard.
Turkeys and other ground birds: Young lone star ticks will feed on them. This matters more where lone star ticks are established.
Foxes, raccoons, skunks, and woodchucks: These are hosts for various other ticks. Burrows and dens can keep those species close by.
The landscape matters too:
Oak woods can have boom years. Big acorn crops feed mice, and more mice can mean more ticks two years later. The squirrels started it, as usual.
Small patches of woods can be trouble. Small forest patches can support dense mouse populations and fewer other host species. That can raise the odds of meeting infected ticks.
Edges are worth watching. One study summary says forest interiors can hold more ticks, while ticks at edges may be more likely to be infected. So do not relax just because you can still see your car.
Getting rid of deer is not a simple fix. Results from deer removal studies have been inconsistent. Please do not start a feud with Bambi.
Wildlife can tell you where risk may be higher, but it cannot tell you a spot is safe. Seeing no deer does not mean seeing no ticks. It may just mean the deer saw you first.
Why ticks end up in the house
A tick that has not attached yet can ride indoors on a dog's coat or your clothes, then wander off. That may explain why we keep finding them in the house rather than on the dogs, though we cannot say for certain which of us is the guilty party.
This matters because those ticks may still be alive and hungry. An Ohio State study found unfed adult lone star and Gulf Coast ticks survived for at least 7 days on common flooring, and up to about 3 weeks. Blacklegged ticks, Vermont's main concern, were not part of that study and may not last as long indoors. We are still not offering them a guest room.
A smart after-hike routine
Check before you go inside. Go over your dog on the porch or at the car. The Ohio State team's advice includes a fine-toothed brush or lint roller along with a hands-on check.
Put your clothes in the dryer first. University of Rhode Island research found that 10 minutes on high kills ticks, while washing does not reliably do the job. Add 5 minutes for an electric dryer.
Check yourself and shower. Showering may wash off unattached ticks, but attached ticks do not wash off easily, so check everywhere.
Dry the dog bedding. Put blankets and washable beds in a hot dryer if you find a tick on them, if the care label allows it.
Vacuum the usual landing zones. Focus on the mudroom, dog beds, and wherever your dog collapses after a hike.
Keep human bug spray for humans. Use an EPA-registered repellent on yourself, but do not use DEET products on your dog.
Save a house tick if you keep finding them. Brown dog ticks can actually infest homes and may take months and a licensed exterminator to control. If you are finding many ticks, or tiny ones, have them identified. In Vermont, the Agency of Agriculture accepts ticks for identification.
Why one tiny hitchhiker matters
A tick is not just gross. It is a tiny, eight-legged delivery service, and you did not order anything.
Lyme disease: The AVMA says only 5% to 10% of infected dogs get sick. Those that do usually show signs 2 to 5 months later, including lameness, fever, swollen joints, and low appetite. About 1% to 5% of infected dogs may develop a serious kidney disease.
Anaplasmosis: This is another blacklegged tick illness, and it can look a lot like Lyme, which makes diagnosis tricky.
Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever: These are bigger concerns outside Vermont, especially across the South.
Timing matters too. CAPC says Lyme bacteria can take 24 to 48 hours of feeding to transmit, while Ehrlichia and Rickettsia can move in as little as 3 to 6 hours. That is why the daily tick check is not optional. It is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy, and your dog thinks it is a massage.
Prescription options: the heavy hitters
Most prescription tick meds belong to one drug class, isoxazolines. Your dog takes the drug, it moves into the bloodstream, and the tick gets a fatal last meal. Think of it as your dog being poison to ticks, but in a loving way.
NexGard (afoxolaner)
How it works: Monthly chew for dogs 8 weeks and up, 4 pounds and up
Benefits: Kills four major tick species and fleas. FDA approved it in 2018 to prevent Lyme infections by killing blacklegged ticks.
Dangers and downsides: Vomiting, itching, lethargy, diarrhea, and low appetite. Rare neurologic events. Caution with seizure history. Not evaluated in pregnant, breeding, or nursing dogs.
Simparica or Simparica Trio (sarolaner)
How it works: Monthly chew
Benefits: Trio also covers heartworm and some intestinal worms, so one chew does several jobs.
Dangers and downsides: Same class warning. Ask your vet about seizure history.
Credelio (lotilaner)
How it works: Monthly chew
Benefits: Another option if your dog does not get along with the others.
Dangers and downsides: Same class warning. Ask your vet about seizure history.
Bravecto chew (fluralaner)
How it works: One chew lasts 12 weeks, or 8 weeks for lone star ticks
Benefits: Fewer doses to forget.
Dangers and downsides: Same class warning. You cannot undo a long-acting dose if your dog reacts badly.
Bravecto Quantum (fluralaner)
How it works: Vet-given injection for dogs 6 months and up
Benefits: Up to 12 months of coverage, or 8 months for lone star ticks. No monthly chew to remember.
Dangers and downsides: Same class warning. Requires a vet visit, and a 12-month dose is a long commitment.
Lyme vaccine
How it works: Vet-given shot with regular boosters
Benefits: Adds protection in high-risk areas like Vermont.
Dangers and downsides: Does not protect against other tick diseases, and it is not right for every dog. You still need tick control.
What about those seizure warnings?
They are real, and you should know about them. In 2018, the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazolines had been linked to muscle tremors, loss of coordination, and seizures, including in animals with no seizure history.
The FDA also said most animals do not have these reactions and that the products are considered safe and effective. So the sensible move is not panic. It is telling your vet about any seizure history, watching your dog after a dose, and calling your vet if something seems off.
One fair caveat on NexGard's Lyme claim: the studies measured whether the infection was transmitted, not rates of illness. Still, stopping the infection in the first place is a pretty good start.
Over-the-counter options: no vet visit required
No prescription does not mean no pesticide. These are still pesticides, so read the label like it owes you money.
K9 Advantix II (permethrin blend)
How it works: Monthly topical
Benefits: Permethrin also repels ticks, so it can work before a bite.
Dangers and downsides: Highly toxic to cats. A bad pick for dogs who snuggle with cats. Can irritate skin.
Frontline (fipronil)
How it works: Monthly topical
Benefits: Long-familiar and effective against a broad range of ticks.
Dangers and downsides: Can irritate skin. Must be applied correctly, and dogs can be uncooperative about it.
Seresto collar (flumethrin, imidacloprid)
How it works: Collar lasting up to 8 months
Benefits: Set it and forget it.
Dangers and downsides: Itching is common. Convulsions and loss of coordination are reported less often. Strangulation risk if the collar snags and fails to release.
Seresto deserves a little more context because the headlines were loud. The EPA reviewed 1,400 deaths reported from 2016 to 2020. The only ones it found probably or definitely tied to the collar involved strangulation or trauma, and missing details often made the cause impossible to determine. The EPA kept the product on the market, but required new warnings and limited its approval to five years.
Holistic options: the good, the meh, and the please don't
We like natural options. We also like our dogs alive and not vomiting garlic. Here is the honest breakdown.
Daily tick checks and brushing
Benefits: No chemicals, no cost, and it catches ticks early.
Dangers and downsides: Your dog may demand this forever.
Our verdict: Non-negotiable
Yard cleanup
Benefits: CAPC recommends short grass and clearing brush and leaf litter.
Dangers and downsides: Involves a rake.
Our verdict: Do it
Essential oil sprays and spot-ons (TropiClean, Wondercide, Vet's Best)
Benefits: Plant-based, easy to buy, and some oils do show repellent properties.
Dangers and downsides: Protection fades faster, and evidence is limited. Dogs can react, and these are risky around cats.
Our verdict: A useful add-on, not a solo act
Coconut oil and apple cider vinegar
Benefits: Your dog smells like a salad or a macaroon.
Dangers and downsides: PetMD says they do not work against ticks and fleas.
Our verdict: Skip
Garlic, with or without brewer's yeast
Benefits: None proven.
Dangers and downsides: Toxic to dogs and cats when eaten.
Our verdict: Hard no
Tea tree oil
Benefits: None worth the risk.
Dangers and downsides: Pure oil is very toxic. Even 10 to 20 milliliters has killed pets.
Our verdict: Hard no
The natural label fine print
Natural does not automatically mean safe. Arsenic is natural. So are bears.
Consumer Reports notes that many essential oil products fall into the EPA's minimal-risk category, so they do not face the same review as FDA-approved or EPA-registered products. A study of poison center calls found dozens of reports of health problems in dogs and cats exposed to commercial essential oil flea products.
Vets disagree here, and you should know that. PetMD advises against using essential oils, including cedar oil, on or around pets. TropiClean's spot-on contains cedarwood and peppermint oils, and it tells owners to stop and bathe the dog with a mild shampoo if sensitivity appears. We still use a TropiClean spray, but we use it with our eyes open and never as our only protection.
Three rules if you go this route: use a pet product made for your species, never a DIY mix of straight oils, and keep it off your cat. Then watch for drooling, tremors, wobbling, or skin irritation, and call your vet if you see any of them.
Flea and tick shampoos: more than a fancy bath
A regular dog shampoo is built to clean your dog. A flea and tick shampoo is built to kill bugs, and it does most of its work during the bath. Once your dog is dry and rolling in something unspeakable, most of that protection is over.
Regular dog shampoo
What is in it: Cleansers, conditioners, and fragrance
What it does to ticks: Not designed to kill or repel them
Dangers and downsides: Lowest pesticide risk, though any shampoo can bother sensitive skin
Pesticide flea and tick shampoo
What is in it: Usually permethrin or pyrethrin
What it does to ticks: Quickly kills parasites on the dog, but does not stop new ones from climbing on
Dangers and downsides: Permethrin is highly toxic to cats. Label warnings on one permethrin shampoo include young puppies and asking a vet first for aged, sick, medicated, pregnant, or nursing dogs.
Essential oil flea and tick shampoo, like TropiClean Maximum Strength
What is in it: Clove, lemongrass, cedarwood, and cinnamon oils, plus sesame oil and sodium lauryl sulfate
What it does to ticks: The brand says it kills by contact and repels fleas for up to 7 days
Dangers and downsides: Reports vary widely on how well unregulated botanical products work. Labeled for dogs 12 weeks and older. Oils can cause sensitivity, and keep it away from cats.
What this means at bath time
Contact time matters. PetMD says to leave these shampoos on for the labeled time, generally 10 to 15 minutes. That is a long time to negotiate with a wet dog, so bring treats.
Keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Rinse well, and follow your product's directions rather than eyeballing it.
A shampoo is a cleanup tool, not a prevention plan. PetMD says it does not provide lasting parasite control and works best alongside other products.
It does not replace the tick check. Any attached tick you find still comes off with tweezers.
Your preventive matters here. A chew like NexGard does not sit on the coat, so bath time will not rinse it away. Topicals and collars are different, so check the label before you lather up.
We are groomers by background, so take this from us: more baths are not automatically better. If your dog's skin gets dry or irritated, back off and ask your vet.
Are there plants ticks don't like?
Maybe, but do not fire your tick plan and hire a marigold. Lists of tick-repelling plants are everywhere, but the evidence is largely anecdotal. There is no strong research showing that plants alone will keep ticks out of a yard.
An Extension expert answering a Maryland homeowner makes a useful point: some plants contain chemicals used in botanical insecticides, but having the plant in your yard does not give you the same effect. Your rosemary is not out there spraying anything. It is just standing there smelling nice.
The bigger catch is that several plants on those popular lists are toxic to dogs. That matters at our house, where Cologio and Snoopy have taken up grazing since moving to Vermont.
Rosemary: Listed as dog-safe. Fine to try, in a pot you bring inside for Vermont winters.
Sage: Listed as dog-friendly. Fine to try.
Marigold: Listed as non-toxic. Fine to try, and at least it is cheerful.
Lavender: On toxic lists. Skip it where your dog grazes.
Mint: On toxic lists. Skip it where your dog grazes.
Lemongrass: On toxic lists. Skip it where your dog grazes.
Geranium: On toxic lists. Skip it where your dog grazes.
Chrysanthemum: Toxic, with drooling, vomiting, and stumbling. Not worth it.
Garlic and onion: Garlic is toxic per the ASPCA, and onion is too. Hard no in a dog yard.
Check the ASPCA's plant list before you buy anything. If your dog eats something toxic, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
What works better than a tick-repelling garden
The University of Vermont's yard guide skips the magic plant list and focuses on making your yard drier and less inviting to ticks and their hosts:
Rake and remove leaves in the fall. Leaf litter is a moist tick refuge and overwintering site. Sorry about your weekend.
Keep it short and sunny. Mow regularly, clear tall grass and brush, and prune branches to let in light and air.
Build a border. A wood chip or gravel strip between lawn and woods may discourage ticks from moving into the areas you use.
Remove invasive shrubs. UVM names barberry, non-native honeysuckle, and multiflora rose.
Choose deer-resistant plants. UConn Extension says deer tend to avoid thorny, fuzzy, bitter, and strong-smelling plants, but a hungry deer will eat almost anything.
Stop feeding the tick taxis. Clear debris, seal holes in stone walls, keep bird feeders away from the house, and consider fencing.
What we do at The Dog Buzz
We have used NexGard for our dogs, Cologio and Snoopy for many years. We have recently added a TropiClean spray as a repellent. That is our choice for our dogs, in our tick-heavy corner of the world, and not a prescription for yours. We also treat our dogs year round, not just during the spring/summer months.
We arrived at this decision after in depth conversations with our vets both in Vermont and in Pennsylvania. NexGard is the backstop because it kills the ticks that bite. The spray aims to keep some from settling in. Hands-on checks catch whatever gets through, because no product is a force field. So far, we have not found ticks on the dogs, but that does not mean they are not giving ticks a ride home, which is why the after-hike routine matters.
The Vermont Department of Health says blacklegged ticks can show up any time it is above freezing. CAPC recommends year-round tick control for all dogs. So a warm January thaw does not get a free pass, and neither do we.
The nightly tick check
Run your hands slowly over your dog after every outdoor adventure, feeling for anything like a small bump. A black coat like Cologio's can hide a small tick, so go by feel as well as sight. Check these favorite hiding spots:
In and around the ears
Under the collar
Armpits and groin
Between the toes
Under the tail
How to remove a tick
This follows CAPC's guidance. Stay calm. Your dog is taking cues from you, and you are the one making that face.
Put on gloves and grab fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool.
Grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can.
Pull straight back with slow, steady pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or crush it.
Clean the spot and wash your hands.
Save the tick in tape or a vial of alcohol, labeled with the date, in case your vet wants to identify it.
Skip the matches, nail polish, and other folk remedies. You are removing a parasite, not hosting a science fair. Vermonters can also log finds with the state's Tick Tracker.
Call your vet if your dog develops lameness, fever, swollen joints, low appetite, or unusual tiredness. Mention any recent ticks, even if that was a while ago, since Lyme signs can take months to appear.
Tick season FAQ
Can I stop tick prevention in winter? CAPC says to keep it going year-round. In Vermont, ticks can be active any time it is above freezing, and our weather has never once followed the rules.
I found a tick on my dog while using NexGard. Did it fail? Not necessarily. CAPC says finding ticks on treated pets is usually due to heavy tick numbers in the environment. Ticks also have to reach your dog before a preventive can do its job. If you keep finding attached, live ticks, call your vet.
Can I use a natural spray with a prescription preventive? We do, but check with your vet first, especially if your dog is a senior, has health problems, or has a seizure history.
Can my dog give me Lyme disease? No. Washington State University's vet hospital says you cannot catch it directly from your pet. But your dog can carry unattached ticks into the house, so check yourself too.
Which option is best? The one that fits your dog's health, your region, and your real habits. A monthly chew only works if you remember it, so set the phone reminder.
Our recommendations
Here is the gear that makes tick season a little less disgusting. Some of these are affiliate links, so buying through them helps support The Dog Buzz at no extra cost to you. Always read the label, and check with your vet before adding a new product to your dog's routine.
What we use
TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Spray : Our add-on repellent. It is not a replacement for a preventive from your vet, and it should stay away from cats. I can’t say that I love the smell of this product, but if it helps keeps the hitchhikers from catching a ride I can deal with the scent for a little while.
Homesake Tick Removal Tool : We prefer this tool over tweezers. We have several of these in our grooming salon. This is a great tool to keep in the car or your hiking pack.
For the nightly tick check
Rechargeable headlamp : A must for black dog owners and anyone hunting tiny specks at 9 p.m. Also helpful for the late night potty walks.
Fine-toothed dog comb : Helps you work through the coat along with a hands-on check.
Lint rollers : Great for a quick pass over clothes and coats before you head inside. Besides what dog owner doesn’t need to dehair occassionally?
For hiking days
Hands-free leash : Keeps your dog closer to the middle of the trail and leaves your hands free for the snacks. At the Dog Buzz we prefer non-retractable leashes at all times.
Washable car seat cover : Your car should not be a tick shuttle or smell like one.
Tick gaiters : Extra protection for your lower legs, where ticks wait on low plants. One of our new favorite finds!
For bath time and the yard
TropiClean Natural Flea and Tick Maximum Strength Shampoo : An essential oil option for dogs 12 weeks and older. Read the sensitivity warnings and keep it away from cats.
For NexGard and other prescription preventives or OTC topical options, start with your vet. Your dog's health history should decide that one, not a shopping link.
The bottom line
Tick season does not end when the leaves do. Pick a plan with your vet, stay consistent, and check your dog every night.
Then go enjoy the outdoors. The ticks may be relentless, but so is a Lab who has spotted a stick.
We are dog people, not veterinarians. This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet before starting or changing any tick product.
Your turn: tell us your tick tales
We have shared our indoor tick mystery, so now it is your turn to spill. Drop a comment and tell us:
Where are you, and what are you seeing? Share your state or region and whether ticks are still active there.
What is the strangest place you have found a tick? Our bar is currently "inside the house." Please do better.
What does your dog's tick plan look like? Tell us what has worked, what has not, and whether your vet changed your mind about anything.
Which natural remedy have you tried? We want the wins, the flops, and the ones that made your dog smell like a salad.
Your comment could help another dog owner in your area, especially since tick season looks so different from place to place. Please keep medical questions for your vet, but we would love to hear your stories.
Know someone whose dog spends every weekend on the trail? Share this article with them. And if your pup has a tick-check face, post a photo and tag The Dog Buzz. We promise to judge it only with love.