When Is Tick Season in the UK? (And Where Ticks Are Worst)

Last updated: 1 October 2026 · Sources: University of Bristol Big Tick Project, RSPCA, UK Health Security Agency

The short answer

Tick season in the UK runs mainly from March to October, peaking in spring and early summer, but ticks can be active on any mild day of the year. They're found right across the country, with the highest rates on dogs in Scotland, the South West of England and East Anglia. A University of Bristol study found almost 1 in 3 dogs checked at UK vets was carrying a tick.

• Main season: March to October
• Ticks can still be out on mild winter days
• Highest-risk areas: Scotland, South West England, East Anglia
• About 30% of UK dogs checked were carrying a tick
• Checking after walks + year-round prevention is the best defence

Are ticks really a problem in the UK?

Yes, ticks are a real and common problem across the UK, not just something to worry about abroad.

Ticks live in the grass, bracken and woodland we walk our dogs through every day. And because they're tiny before they feed, most owners never notice one until it's latched on.

How common are ticks on UK dogs?

About 30% of dogs checked at UK vets were carrying at least one tick. That comes from the Big Tick Project, run by the University of Bristol in 2015, the largest study of ticks on dogs ever done in the UK. Vets at around 1,400 practices checked dogs at random as they came in.

• About 30% of dogs were carrying at least one tick.
• 89% of ticks were the sheep or deer tick, the species most linked to Lyme disease.
• About 2% of ticks tested carried Lyme disease bacteria.

These were ordinary dogs at ordinary vet visits. Most owners had no idea.

When is tick season in the UK?

Tick season in the UK runs mainly from March to October, according to the RSPCA, and ticks are becoming active earlier in the year than they used to. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says ticks are most active from spring into summer and autumn.

Here's a rough month-by-month guide to tick activity:

Months	Tick activity	What to do
March to June	Climbs to its peak	Check your dog after every walk
July to October	Still high, especially in long grass and woodland	Keep checking and stick to paths
November to February	Much lower, but ticks can come out on mild days	Check after walks on mild days

Where are ticks worst in the UK?

Ticks are found on dogs in every UK region, with the highest rates in Scotland, the South West and East Anglia, and high rates in parts of central and northern England too, according to the Big Tick Project.

Many of our customers are in rural Britain, including the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District and Yorkshire, where ticks are an everyday worry (from the customer reviews we read in September 2026).

Wherever you live, ticks love:

• Long grass, bracken and woodland edges
• Moorland and heathland (think the Highlands, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lake District)
• Fields grazed by sheep or deer
• Overgrown parks and gardens where foxes, hedgehogs or deer pass through

Ticks can't jump or fly. They climb grass stems and wait for a dog to brush past.

Which dogs are most at risk of ticks?

Any dog that goes outdoors can pick up ticks, but the Big Tick Project found higher rates in gundogs, herding breeds and older dogs, mostly because of where they spend their time.

Why do ticks matter?

Ticks matter because of the diseases they can carry, not because of the bite itself, which is usually small.

• Lyme disease: the RSPCA describes it as a serious bacterial infection that can cause fever, lameness, swollen joints and loss of appetite in dogs. It's treatable with antibiotics when caught early.
• It affects people too: UKHSA estimates 3,000 to 4,000 new Lyme disease cases a year in England and Wales. Dogs can carry ticks into your home.

If your dog seems tired, off their food, lame or stiff after a tick bite, call your vet.

What do UK vet charities advise?

UK vet charities advise checking your dog after every walk, removing ticks quickly with a tool, and using tick prevention.

• Check your dog after every walk in grass or woodland: head, ears, under the collar, armpits, groin, between the toes and the base of the tail.
• Remove ticks quickly with a tick removal tool, twisting rather than pulling (here's how).
• Never squeeze, burn or smother a tick.
• Use tick prevention, especially in high-risk areas and during peak season.

How can I protect my dog from ticks this season?

Check your dog after every walk, stick to paths in peak season, keep your garden tidy and use protection that lasts the whole season.

1. Make the post-walk check a habit

Two minutes, every walk, from spring to autumn. It's the single most useful thing you can do.

2. Stick to paths in peak season

Long grass and bracken are where ticks wait.

3. Keep your garden tidy

Short grass and cut-back borders mean fewer places for ticks to hide.

4. Use protection that lasts the whole season

Tick season lasts most of the year. Protection that only works if you remember it every month leaves gaps.

Myth vs fact

Myth: Ticks are only a problem abroad.
Fact: About 30% of UK dogs checked at the vet were carrying one.

Myth: Ticks jump onto dogs.
Fact: They climb grass and wait for a dog to brush past.

Myth: There are no ticks in winter.
Fact: Activity drops, but ticks can be out on mild days.

Myth: Town dogs don't get ticks.
Fact: Parks and gardens visited by foxes, hedgehogs or deer can have ticks too.

Your tick season checklist

✔ Check after every walk, March to October and on mild winter days
✔ Keep a tick tool at home and in your walking bag
✔ Stick to paths in peak season
✔ Watch for illness after a bite and call your vet if worried
✔ Stay protected all season with long-lasting natural protection

Frequently asked questions

What month is tick season in the UK?

Tick season in the UK runs mainly from March to October, according to the RSPCA, with activity peaking in spring and early summer. Ticks are also becoming active earlier in the year, and they can still appear on mild days between November and February, so a quick check after walks is sensible all year.

Which part of the UK has the most ticks?

Ticks are found in every UK region, but the Big Tick Project found the highest rates on dogs in Scotland, the South West of England and East Anglia. Rates were also high in parts of central and northern England, so wherever you live, checking your dog after walks in grass or woodland is worthwhile.

Can my dog get ticks in the garden?

Yes. Ticks wait in long grass and borders, and gardens visited by foxes, hedgehogs or deer can carry them. Keeping grass short and borders cut back leaves fewer places for ticks to hide, but it's still worth checking your dog's head, ears and legs after time outside, even close to home.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

No. In the Big Tick Project, about 2% of the ticks tested carried Lyme disease bacteria, so most do not. Because the risk is never zero, remove any tick quickly with a tick removal tool and watch your dog for tiredness, lameness or loss of appetite. Call your vet if you're worried.

Can ticks live in my house?

The ticks UK dogs usually pick up live outdoors and don't infest homes the way fleas do. One can still drop off your dog indoors, though, so check your dog before they settle on the sofa or bed after a walk. If you find a tick, remove it promptly with a tick tool.

Final thoughts

Ticks are a normal part of UK dog walking, but they don't have to be a worry. Check after walks, remove ticks quickly, and keep protection going through the whole season. A plant-based collar like the BIO-COLLAR™ means one less thing to remember.

Keep reading

• How to Remove a Tick From Your Dog
• Why Do Fleas Keep Coming Back After Treatment?
• Can Indoor Cats Get Fleas?

Sources: Abdullah S et al., Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme, Parasites & Vectors 2016 (University of Bristol Big Tick Project); RSPCA, Ticks on dogs and cats; UK Health Security Agency, tick awareness guidance. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your pet's health, contact your vet.