Adult Tick Season in Canada
Think tick season ends with summer? Geneticks data suggests adults should pay attention to fall.
Data from Geneticks, covering tick submissions in Canada from 2018 to 2024, reveals an important seasonal pattern: adult blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are frequently submitted for identification in October and November.
According to the data, October accounted for 21.63% of adult tick submissions, while November accounted for 20.89%.
Together, these two months represented more than 42% of adult submissions across the period studied.
For adults who enjoy hiking, gardening, walking the dog, foraging or spending time at the cottage, this is an important reminder: tick protection shouldn't end when summer does.
When Are Adult Blacklegged Ticks Most Commonly Submitted in Canada?
Geneticks' 2018–2024 data shows two distinct seasonal patterns for blacklegged ticks:
- Adult ticks: Submissions peaked in October (21.63%) and November (20.89%).
- Nymphs: Submissions peaked in June and July, at 33.7% each.
These figures represent the percentage of tick submissions recorded in each month, not the percentage of all ticks in Canada or the likelihood of being bitten.
However, they highlight why tick awareness matters in both summer and fall.
Why Does Fall Tick Protection Matter?
Adult blacklegged ticks can be active during mild fall weather. As temperatures drop, many people stop thinking about ticks — even while continuing to garden, hike, walk dogs and enjoy the outdoors.
The Geneticks data provides a practical reason to maintain tick-prevention habits into October and November.
How Can Adults Protect Themselves From Ticks?
Take these precautions when spending time outdoors:
- Wear protective clothing. Choose long pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes.
- Use insect repellent. Follow the label directions for an approved tick repellent.
- Stay on cleared trails. Avoid brushing against tall grass and vegetation.
- Check for ticks. Inspect your body, clothing and gear after outdoor activities.
- Remove ticks promptly. Use fine-tipped tweezers and monitor for symptoms.
Make Tick Protection Part of Your Outdoor Routine
At TickOffTicks, we design clothing for people who want to enjoy the outdoors while taking practical steps to reduce tick exposure.
Our adult collection includes:
- TOT Foraging Coverall: Fuller-body coverage for hiking, gardening, foraging and outdoor adventures.
- Foraging Pant: Everyday outdoor coverage for dog walking, gardening, hiking and cottage life.
Protective clothing is one part of a broader tick-prevention strategy. Combine it with repellent and regular tick checks.
Don't pack away your tick protection in September. The Geneticks data shows why fall deserves attention, too.
Explore the TickOffTicks adult collection.
Source: Geneticks, Canadian tick submissions by month, 2018–2024. Percentages represent the share of submissions in each month.