Pittsburgh's tick season peaks in June. Here's how to protect yourself

Pittsburgh residents won't be alone as they head outside for the summer.

Tick season is rising with the temperature and will hit its peak in June as young ticks emerge after a long winter to feed, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health. The risk of bites will remain high through July, with additional tick activity in the autumn before the season settles for the winter.

On a national scale, this season could be one of the worst on record, USA TODAY previously reported, as emergency room visits related to tick bites have been higher than historic averages in every U.S. region except the South Central states. So far, the Northeast region has recorded the highest levels this year.

Here's where you might encounter ticks in Pittsburgh and how to avoid being bitten this season.

When is Pittsburgh's tick season in 2026?

Tick season got a head start this year, kicking off in March in Western Pennsylvania due to warmer temperatures than normal by mid-February that allowed ticks to become active and feed, USA TODAY previously reported. Adult deer ticks began emerging in March, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and spring is when they lay their eggs.

While the risk for ticks has risen through March, April and May, the season will hit its peak in June, according to the state department of health. Nymphal Deer ticks, which hatched from last year's eggs and spent the winter lying dormant under leaf litter, emerge en masse in June. These tiny parasites, often no larger than a freckle or poppy seed, can be hard to spot and remove, and they cause the most Lyme disease cases reported in Pennsylvania.

The risk for ticks remains highest through July, as nymphal ticks are still in the environment, according to the state health department. August is when the season begins to ebb, with fewer nymphs around and eggs hatching larvae that are largely free of diseases.

September sees few ticks, though the risk jumps again in October and November, with active adult ticks lurking in wooded areas.

How bad is tick season in Pittsburgh?

You're unlikely to find ticks in the more metropolitan parts of Pittsburgh, as the parasitic arachnids prefer shady, damp environments like leaf litter, tall grass and logs, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Still, that doesn't mean the Steel City is free of ticks. You still run the risk of picking up an eight-legged hitchhiker in the city's parks and other wooded areas or parts of the city with overgrown grass. While many species of ticks are found in Pennsylvania, chances are highest that you'll encounter Deer ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks and groundhog ticks, according to Pennsylvania State University.

As a whole, Pennsylvania has a reputation as a state with a particularly bad tick season. It's among the top five worst states for ticks in 2026 based on the number of services performed, according to a report by Terminix published in April, with the state ranking at No. 4 on the list of 25.

Pennsylvania is also among the worst states for Lyme disease, ranking at No. 9 on U.S. News' list in 2024. The state had 8,413 confirmed cases of the disease, with an incidence rate of 6.47. USAFacts ranked Pennsylvania as the worst state for Lyme disease, reporting that the state saw 29.2% of all reported cases in the country between 2016-2019 based on data from the Centers for Disease Control.

How can I prevent tick bites?

Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends tick bite prevention strategies that will work for every type of tick you may encounter in Pittsburgh. Prevention strategies include:

• Spray clothing, shoes and gear with permethrin: Ahead of outdoor activities, consider treating your gear (all items you'll be wearing, as well as sleeping bags, tents and any other gear a tick may crawl on) with permethrin, a chemical that kills ticks on contact.
• Use insect repellent: Apply insect repellent to your skin and clothing before going outside. The repellent should contain ingredients that have been shown to prevent bites, such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, eucalyptus (OLE), IR3535 or p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). If using sunscreen, apply the sunscreen before the insect repellent.
• Check for ticks regularly: Look for ticks on areas of the body that they may hide, such as in and around the ears, in and around the hair, under the arms, around the waist, between the legs, inside the belly button and at the back of the knees. Check regularly when you're outside, and shower when you come indoors.
• Use tick prevention for pets: Use tick prevention, such as medication, vaccinations and permethrin-treated collars, for your pets to prevent bringing ticks home, and check your pets regularly for ticks. Always ask your vet before using any tick prevention products.
• Use tick prevention products in your yard: Some pesticides can minimize ticks, and landscaping strategies — like minimizing leaf piles and keeping grass trimmed — can help attract fewer ticks. It's also a good idea to remove trash from your yard, keep play areas and patios away from wooded areas, remove Japanese barberry bushes from the yard and consider laying down a mulch border if your yard borders a wooded area.

What should I do if I am bitten by a tick?

Ticks should be removed carefully with fine-tipped tweezers using a steady, even pressure, according to the CDC. Don't twist or yank the tick to remove it.

After the tick has been removed, the CDC recommends cleaning your hands and the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

You can flush the tick down a toilet to dispose of it, or submit it in person or mail it to the Allegheny County Entomologist for identification. The county does not test ticks for bacteria or viruses.

If you're concerned about tickborne diseases, call your healthcare provider to find out if they recommend the use of antibiotics immediately. Otherwise, watch for symptoms such as the following over the next 30 days, which may indicate the presence of a tickborne disease:

• Rash
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Joint swelling and pain

Most tickborne diseases can be treated with a course of antibiotics, according to the CDC.

Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at [email protected]. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.