Ticks in Iowa

Iowa tick questions

Are there ticks in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa has ticks in every county, led by the deer tick (blacklegged tick) that spreads Lyme disease, along with the American dog tick and the lone star tick. They are active whenever the ground is not frozen, and today 131 of the state's 940 towns are at moderate or high tick risk on TickZone's daily score.

What types of ticks live in Iowa?

Iowa has the deer tick (blacklegged tick), which carries Lyme disease; the American dog tick; and the lone star tick, which is reported in the state and causes alpha-gal syndrome. See the Iowa tick identification chart for photos and how to tell them apart.

When does tick season start and end in Iowa?

In Iowa, ticks are active whenever the ground is not frozen, roughly March through November. Nymph deer ticks peak in June and July and cause most Lyme cases, and adult ticks have a second peak in the fall. On any winter day above freezing, adult ticks can still bite.

When is flea and tick season?

Flea and tick season generally runs from early spring through late fall, peaking in the warm summer months. In Iowa, start prevention for pets and people in March and keep it up through November, since ticks can bite on any mild day.

Which tick carries Lyme disease in Iowa?

The deer tick, also called the blacklegged tick, is the tick that spreads Lyme disease in Iowa. The American dog tick and lone star tick do not carry Lyme.