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Wisconsin Ticks Remain Active Through Fall and Winter

Residents should continue to monitor for ticks during cold weather months when temperatures remain above freezing.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Allergies

Flat opaque gouache-painted illustration of a dark deer tick on a frost-dusted oak leaf, representing year-round health risks.
Wisconsin health officials are warning residents to remain vigilant against tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, even during the cold autumn and winter months. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is it necessary to maintain tick-prevention measures during the fall and winter months?

Wisconsin health officials are reminding residents that ticks remain active and capable of transmitting diseases throughout the fall and winter, provided temperatures stay above freezing. This seasonal alert follows a year in which the state saw a record number of Lyme disease cases.

Why it matters

Lyme disease is now endemic across every Wisconsin county, making year-round vigilance necessary for anyone spending time outdoors. Because ticks persist in temperatures above freezing, outdoor activities like playing in leaf piles during late autumn can still pose a risk of tick-borne infection.

Wisconsin recorded a record number of Lyme disease cases in 2024, confirming that the illness is now endemic in every county across the state. Ticks remain active whenever temperatures are above freezing, though the total impact of this extended season on 2026 infection rates remains unknown.

The players

Erin Dawicki

A physician associate who launched the at-home tick testing kit known as Lyme Alert.

The details

Ticks transmit pathogens, including those that cause Lyme disease, by latching onto hosts and feeding on their blood. To help identify risks, physician associate Erin Dawicki has introduced an at-home testing tool called Lyme Alert, which is designed to detect Lyme-causing bacteria in a tick after it has been removed. Results are available in approximately 15 minutes, though the kit serves as an informational aid only; a negative result does not rule out the possibility that a person or pet has been infected.

Timeline

  1. 2024: Wisconsin recorded a record number of Lyme disease cases.

  2. October 30, 2026: Health officials issued a reminder regarding ongoing tick activity.

  3. Fall and winter months: Ticks remain active whenever temperatures stay above freezing.

Health Landscape

This alert follows a pattern set by the record number of Lyme disease cases in Wisconsin during 2024. It reflects an evolving landscape where milder temperatures are extending the traditional window for tick-borne illness surveillance.

When outdoors during fall or winter, minimize exposure by wearing long sleeves, pants tucked into socks, and light-colored clothing. After any outdoor activity, perform a thorough check of yourself and your pets to identify attached ticks early.

The takeaway

Tick risk does not disappear when autumn leaves fall, as these insects remain active in any temperature above freezing. If you find a tick attached to yourself or a pet, monitor the site for signs of infection and consult your physician rather than relying on at-home testing kits for a diagnosis.

Further reading

For more information on identifying and preventing tick-borne illnesses, visit our section on Allergies.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WWIS Radio.

Live Poll

Is it necessary to maintain tick-prevention measures during the fall and winter months?