Are Ticks Still Active in Winter in Idaho? What Treasure Valley Homeowners Should Know
Ticks are found across many regions of the United States, including Idaho. While tick activity is most noticeable in spring and summer, winter does not eliminate ticks. In the Treasure Valley—including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell—mild winter days, sunny exposures, and protected landscaping areas can still support tick activity.
Below is a clear, practical overview of how ticks behave in winter and what Idaho residents can do to reduce risk for people and pets.
Are Ticks Still Active in the Winter?
Yes—ticks can remain active in winter whenever conditions allow. Cold weather slows them down, but it does not “wipe them out.” Instead, ticks shelter in protected areas such as leaf litter, grass thatch, brush piles, and wooded edges. When temperatures rise (even briefly), they can resume host-seeking behavior.
Key points about winter tick activity in Idaho:
- Ticks enter a low-activity survival state during sustained cold periods.
- Activity can resume during warmer daytime windows.
- They can continue searching for hosts whenever conditions allow.
- Pets often bring ticks inside after time outdoors—sometimes without anyone noticing right away.
Ticks can also overwinter by staying attached to wildlife hosts such as deer and rodents, allowing them to survive until spring conditions return.
How Ticks Reach Homes During Winter
Even in winter, ticks can still show up around homes and yards in a few common ways:
- Transferring to pets that roam outdoors near brush, edges, or tall grass
- Attaching to clothing, socks, or boots during outdoor activities
- Overwintering on wildlife that passes through yards (deer, rodents, etc.)
- Sheltering under leaves, mulch, rocks, and protected vegetation that stays unfrozen
Even with snow present, ticks can survive underneath loose soil and leaf layers—especially in shaded landscaping or along fence lines and wood piles.
Tick-Borne Diseases in Winter
Tick-borne illness risk doesn’t disappear in winter. Transmission risk remains any time ticks are able to attach and feed long enough on a host (a person or pet).
Conditions commonly associated with tick exposure can include:
- Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Anaplasmosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Tick paralysis (from certain tick species)
Tick paralysis in pets (what it can look like)
Tick paralysis is linked to toxins released during feeding and can present quickly. Signs in pets may include:
- Weakness or loss of coordination
- Difficulty standing
- Excessive drooling
- Trouble breathing
If a pet shows sudden weakness or breathing issues, treat it as urgent and contact a veterinarian immediately.
How to Reduce Tick Risks During Idaho Winters
Winter prevention is mostly about limiting exposure, reducing tick habitat, and checking people and pets consistently.
1) Protect pets
Use veterinarian-approved tick prevention products (especially for pets that go outdoors year-round). Options may include:
- Monthly topical treatments
- Oral medications
- Tick prevention collars
Even in winter, do quick checks after outdoor time—focus on the ears, neck, collar line, armpits, and between toes.
2) Dress smart for outdoor time
If you’ll be in brushy, weedy, or wooded edges:
- Tuck pants into socks
- Wear long sleeves when practical
- Choose light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily
3) Maintain your yard (yes, even in winter)
Ticks survive best where there’s shelter and moisture retention. Reduce those zones by:
- Clearing leaf piles and yard debris (especially along fences and edges)
- Keeping landscaping trimmed and reducing dense ground cover near walkways
- Reducing rodent activity that can support tick populations
- Keeping wood piles organized and away from high-traffic pet/kid areas
4) Remove ticks properly
If you find a tick attached:
- Use fine-point tweezers
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
- Pull straight upward with steady pressure (don’t twist)
- Wash the area afterward
Tip: The sooner a tick is removed, the better. Regular checks are one of the most effective prevention habits—especially after outdoor time.
5) Consider professional tick control for problem properties
If your property backs up to open space, has heavy brush lines, or you’re finding ticks repeatedly on pets, a targeted treatment plan can help reduce tick pressure in the areas pets and kids use most.
Related pages: Pest Resources | Contact Us
Winter Tick Control for Idaho Homes
Ticks in Idaho can survive year-round outdoors, and mild winter periods can allow activity to continue. A consistent prevention plan reduces the risk of bites and exposure—especially for pets that spend time outside.
If you’re finding ticks on your pets, in your yard, or inside your home, Pestcom Pest Management can help identify likely harborages, recommend next steps, and reduce tick activity around the property.