Are Ticks Active in Winter in the UK?

Last updated: 29 October 2026 · Sources: RSPCA, PDSA, Journal of Vector Ecology (Furness & Furness, 2018), Big Tick Project (Abdullah et al., 2016)

The short answer

Yes, ticks can still be active in a UK winter, mainly on mild days, but they are far less active in the cold. The RSPCA says peak tick season is March to October, but animals can pick up ticks all year round.

• Ticks slow down in the cold. They don't all die off.
• Mild spells matter more than the calendar. Warm, damp days bring ticks back.
• Your dog can still pick up a tick on a winter walk through long grass, woodland or moorland.
• Keep checking your dog after walks, especially the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy.
• Ask your vet about tick prevention that suits your dog and your area.

Do ticks die in winter?

No, most ticks don't die in winter. They become much less active in the cold, but they can return as soon as it turns mild.

Many owners think the first frost ends tick season, so they stop their checks in November. It's an understandable mistake, because ticks are far more common in warm, humid weather. But the RSPCA is clear that animals can pick up ticks all year round.

The same goes for fleas, which can carry on indoors all winter. We cover that in do fleas die in winter?

How cold does it have to be before ticks stop?

Ticks become far less active as temperatures fall, and a long-running Scottish study found very few below a monthly average of 3.5°C. It also found they increased rapidly above a monthly average of 7°C.

The study was by Robert and Euan Furness, published in the Journal of Vector Ecology in 2018. They caught birds from November to February at a site in western Scotland over 24 years. They found no adult ticks, but 946 larvae and nymphs on 16 species of bird.

They recorded ticks in every winter month. In seven out of eight months when the average temperature was below 3.5°C, no Ixodes ricinus (the common sheep tick) were found. The authors say the species is now active year-round where temperatures allow.

This was a study of birds in one part of Scotland, not dogs, so treat the numbers as a guide, not a rule for your area.

Source for the table: Furness & Furness, "Ixodes ricinus parasitism of birds increases at higher winter temperatures", Journal of Vector Ecology, 2018. The middle row is our reading of the gap between the two figures the authors report.

Can your dog still pick up a tick on a winter walk?

Yes, especially on mild days. The RSPCA says ticks are found in plants and grasses and are picked up when animals brush past, and that they are common in woodland and grassland.

The PDSA adds that ticks don't jump or fly. They crawl onto your dog from something like a blade of grass. The PDSA also lists woodlands, moorlands and long grass as places ticks are common.

Ticks are widespread on UK dogs. The Big Tick Project (Abdullah et al., Parasites & Vectors, 2016) found about 30% of dogs checked at UK vets carried a tick, with the highest rates in Scotland, the South West and East Anglia. Read more in when is tick season in the UK?

Where are winter ticks most likely to be a problem?

Winter ticks are most likely wherever there is long grass, bracken, woodland or moorland, and where there are deer, sheep or other wildlife. Rural walks carry the most risk.

Many of our customers are in rural Britain, including the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and Yorkshire, where ticks are an everyday worry. That matches what the PDSA describes: woodland, moorland and long-grass habitats.

A town park in January is a lower-risk place than a mild, damp woodland path, but the RSPCA says you can't rule ticks out at any time of year.

How do you check your dog for ticks in winter?

Run your hands over your dog's whole body after every walk, even a short one. The PDSA says ticks are most common on the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy.

The PDSA adds that if you check regularly after walks, you may find ticks before they have had the chance to attach. Go slowly and feel for small bumps.

Our step-by-step guide on how to check your dog for ticks after a walk takes about two minutes. If you find one, don't squeeze it. Read how to remove a tick from a dog and use a proper tick tool.

Does my dog need tick prevention in winter?

It depends on where you walk and how mild the weather is, so ask your vet. Tick risk falls in the cold but doesn't disappear, and the RSPCA says you can pick up ticks all year round.

The PDSA recommends a regular parasite treatment that covers ticks, and says a tick repellent collar may help during the summer months in high-risk areas. It also says to speak to your vet to choose the right product.

The RSPCA says to use a tick treatment that either kills or repels ticks if they attach, such as a spot-on or tablet, and to ask your vet for the best option.

What do UK vet charities advise?

The RSPCA and PDSA say to check your dog after walks, use regular tick prevention and remove ticks quickly and correctly.

• RSPCA: Peak tick season is March to October, but animals can pick up ticks all year round.
• RSPCA: Use a tick treatment that kills or repels ticks, and ask your vet for the best option. Never use dog tick medicine on cats.
• RSPCA: Remove ticks straight away with a tick removal tool, because tick bites can carry diseases.
• PDSA: Check your dog regularly after walks, and avoid long grass in warm months.
• PDSA: Contact your vet if part of the tick may remain, or if you notice redness, swelling or signs of infection.

What is a simple winter tick routine?

Keep your checks going all year, remove ticks properly, and don't leave gaps in your dog's protection. Here is an easy routine.

1. Check the weather: Mild, damp days mean higher risk, even in December.
2. Choose paths wisely: Stick to paths and open ground where you can.
3. Check after every walk: Head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy.
4. Remove any tick straight away: Use a tick removal tool, and ask your vet if you're unsure.
5. Keep protection steady: Pick something you'll keep up through autumn, winter and spring, and ask your vet what suits your dog.

Myth vs fact

Four myths lead owners to stop their tick checks too early.

Myth: Ticks disappear once it gets cold.
Fact: The RSPCA says animals can pick up ticks all year round, and the Scottish study found ticks in every winter month.

Myth: Ticks only live in the countryside.
Fact: They are most common in woodland, moorland and long grass, but the Big Tick Project found them on dogs across the UK.

Myth: If a tick drops off by itself, I don't need to check.
Fact: The PDSA says that on a dog with regular parasite treatment an attached tick should die and drop off within 24 to 48 hours, but it is still sensible to remove any you see.

Myth: If I find a tick, I should pull it off quickly.
Fact: The RSPCA says to use a tick removal tool and avoid squeezing the body or leaving the head in.

Your winter tick checklist

Keep these five habits going through the colder months.

• ✔ Check your dog's head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy after every walk
• ✔ Keep a tick removal tool by the door
• ✔ Take extra care on mild, damp days
• ✔ Talk to your vet about the right tick prevention for your dog
• ✔ Add long-lasting natural protection so there are no gaps

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do ticks stop being active?

There is no single cut-off. In a Scottish study of ticks on birds, almost none were found in months averaging below 3.5°C, and numbers rose rapidly above 7°C. Ticks respond to the weather, not the calendar, so a mild week in December can bring them back.

Can dogs get ticks in December and January?

Yes, it's possible. The RSPCA says animals can pick up ticks all year round, and the Scottish study found ticks in every winter month. The risk is usually lower in cold spells and higher on mild, damp days, so keep checking after walks.

Do I still need to check my dog for ticks after short winter walks?

Yes, a quick check is sensible. The PDSA says regular checks after walks can help you find ticks before they attach. Ticks wait on plants and grass and crawl onto your dog as it brushes past, so even a short walk through rough ground counts.

Where on a dog do ticks usually hide?

The PDSA says ticks are most common on the head, ears, armpits, groin and tummy. Run your fingers through the coat slowly, feeling for small bumps. If you find one, remove it straight away using a tick removal tool, and avoid squeezing its body.

Should I see my vet if I find a tick?

Not always. The PDSA says there is no need to contact your vet if you've removed a tick successfully and are sure none was left behind. Contact your vet if part of it may remain, or if you notice redness, swelling, infection or your dog seems unwell.

Final thoughts

Ticks slow down in winter, but they don't switch off, so it's worth keeping your checks and protection going. Check after every walk, remove ticks properly and talk to your vet about what suits your dog. A BIO-COLLAR™ is a long-lasting collar designed to help keep fleas and ticks away, with no monthly routine.

Keep reading

• When Is Tick Season in the UK? (And Where Ticks Are Worst)
• How to Check Your Dog for Ticks After a Walk
• How to Remove a Tick From a Dog (Safely, Step by Step)

Sources: RSPCA, "Ticks on dogs and cats", rspca.org.uk, read 21 October 2026; PDSA, "Ticks on dogs", pdsa.org.uk, read 21 October 2026; PDSA, "Ticks on pets", pdsa.org.uk, read 21 October 2026; Furness R.W. and Furness E.N., "Ixodes ricinus parasitism of birds increases at higher winter temperatures", Journal of Vector Ecology 43(1), 2018; Abdullah S. et al., Big Tick Project, Parasites & Vectors, 2016. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health, contact your vet.