Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. As ectoparasites, ticks attach themselves to a host animal and feed on their blood for several days before dropping off. Ticks go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Only the nymph and adult stages feed on blood, while larvae and eggs don’t require a blood meal.
Do ticks come out at night?
Many species of ticks, including the common dog tick, are most active in the warmer months between spring and fall. Ticks search for host animals from the tips of grasses and shrubs and are well adapted to latch onto mammals and birds that brush by. But do ticks come out at night as well as during the day?
The short answer is yes – ticks can indeed come out at night. However, there are some nuances regarding tick behavior that influence whether they are likely to be questing for hosts overnight versus during daylight hours:
- Temperature – Ticks are very sensitive to temperature and humidity. Most species become inactive when temperatures drop below around 45°F or rise above 100°F. Overnight temperatures are often cooler than daytime highs, which may reduce tick activity after dusk.
- Blood feeding cycle – Ticks typically attach to hosts during prime feeding times, which are often daylight hours when potential hosts are active. After attaching, they feed on blood slowly for several days before dropping off. They are unlikely to detach and re-quest at night.
- Carbon dioxide sensing – Ticks detect the CO2 animals exhale, which helps them locate hosts. Low lighting overnight likely increases their reliance on CO2 detection rather than vision.
- Seasonality – The seasonal life cycle of each tick species influences whether they quest at night. Nymphal ticks that are abundant in late spring are more likely to be active in the evening than adults that peak in mid-summer.
So while ticks can and do come out at night under the right conditions, they tend to be most active during daylight hours when temperatures are warmest and potential hosts are easiest to find. Their peak activity periods depend on the tick species, life stage, seasonal populations, and local climate.
When are ticks most active?
Ticks go through three primary life stages that each have preferred seasonal activity patterns:
- Larvae – newly hatched ticks that only have six legs. They are generally most active in late summer.
- Nymphs – the second juvenile stage that has eight legs. Nymphs are most abundant in spring and early summer.
- Adults – fully matured ticks that are largest in size. Adults peak in activity in early summer through early fall.
Larvae and nymphs are most likely to quest for hosts during daylight hours, as they are small, susceptible to desiccation, and rely on vision to locate hosts effectively. Adults can occasionally be active overnight into the early morning or late evening, as they are more resilient and rely on CO2 detection.
The peak activity periods by life stage are:
- Larvae: June – September, peaking in August
- Nymphs: May – August, peaking in June
- Adults: April – September, peaking in June/July
Seasonal Differences
Ticks are cold blooded and very much affected by temperature and relative humidity. Their peak activity periods occur when conditions are optimal for host seeking, which varies by geographic region and climate. Here are some general trends in seasonal activity that influence when ticks come out both day and night:
- In cooler northern states, ticks are most active April-September.
- In southern states with milder winters, ticks may be active March-November.
- Ticks survive the winter months in a dormant state and become active again in spring.
- Nymphs are abundant in early summer, while adult numbers rise through late summer into fall.
These seasonal variations in life stage activity heavily influence when ticks are likely to quest for hosts overnight. Warmer weather and optimal humidity levels promote nighttime activity.
Nocturnal Tick Behavior
Ticks have a variety of behaviors and survival strategies that influence their nocturnal questing activity:
- Carbon dioxide detection – Ticks locate hosts by sensing CO2 in exhaled breath, which allows them to quest at night.
- Olfaction – They also detect host odors and pheromones using chemoreceptors, improving their nighttime host location.
- Questing posture – Ticks climb on vegetation and wait with front legs outstretched to grab onto passing hosts.
- Aggregated questing – Large numbers of ticks converge in prime areas to increase chances of attaching to available hosts.
- Survival – If unable to find a host, ticks can survive many months to over a year without feeding.
- Re-questing – Once satiated with blood, adult ticks drop off hosts and eventually re-quest again for another meal.
These behaviors allow ticks to take advantage of warmer nights and dusk/dawn periods when certain hosts may be active. However, they likely still quest more actively when daytime temperatures are high.
Nocturnal Host Animals
Part of what determines if ticks come out at night is the activity patterns of their preferred hosts. Some mammals and birds that serve as common tick hosts have nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn/dusk) activity cycles that provide ticks opportunity to feed at night. Host species that ticks target overnight include:
- Deer
- Coyotes
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Opossums
- Rodents
- Birds
- Lizards
- Snakes
Deer and small mammals are among the most preferred hosts of many tick species and are often active at dawn or dusk and through the night. Their overnight movements allow ticks to find and attach to hosts when ambient temperatures facilitate activity.
Crepuscular Hosts
Crepuscular mammals that are active primarily at dawn and dusk provide prime opportunities for ticks to find hosts when natural light is still available but temperatures are cooler. Some crepuscular species include:
- Deer
- Coyotes
- Rabbits
- Skunks
- Opossums
- Raccoons
- Rodents
Dawn and dusk are often peak questing times for ticks, as many of their preferred hosts are active and temperatures are still adequate for activity. This makes crepuscular mammals important tick hosts.
Nocturnal Host Examples
Some primarily nocturnal animals that provide tick hosts in darkness include:
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Skunks
- Rodents
- Bats
- Night birds
- Frogs and toads
The overnight activity of these species gives ticks opportunity to find hosts when environmental conditions like humidity and cooler temperatures favor activity at night.
Prime Times for Tick Activity
Based on tick biology and behavior, there are certain times of day and night when they are most likely to be actively host seeking:
- Dusk – Cooler temperatures and crepuscular host activity spur questing at dusk.
- Night – Some increased overnight activity on warm, humid nights when preferred hosts are accessible.
- Dawn – Another prime period with cooler temperatures and crepuscular mammals active.
- Morning – Warming temperatures and CO2 from animal activity initiate questing.
- Afternoon – Peak time for questing in hot weather when hosts seek shade vegetation.
Ticks take advantage of cooler overnight temperatures when humidity is adequate and hosts are available. But their most active questing generally occurs during warmer daytime periods at all life stages.
Table: Tick Questing Activity by Time of Day
| Time of Day | Activity Level |
|---|---|
| Night | Low-Moderate |
| Early Morning | Moderate-High |
| Late Morning | High |
| Afternoon | Peak |
| Dusk | High |
This table summarizes how tick activity follows a general pattern over 24 hours, with prime questing occurring midday but ticks still actively host seeking at cooler times overnight and morning/evening when temperatures are adequate.
Reducing Exposure to Nocturnal Ticks
While ticks are certainly capable of host seeking overnight in the right conditions, overall they likely pose lower risk at night compared to daylight hours. Some tips for minimizing nocturnal tick encounters include:
- Avoid areas with tall grasses and dense brush at night.
- Use flashlights if walking near vegetation at night.
- Stay on trails and avoid contact with overgrown vegetation.
- Wear long pants and sleeves if walking through tick habitats.
- Tuck pants into socks to keep ticks on fabric not skin.
- Consider insect repellents containing DEET at night.
- Check yourself for any attached ticks after being outdoors.
Being aware of ticks and taking a few precautions can greatly reduce the chances of nocturnal tick bites. Focus preventative measures in the morning and evening when overnight-questing ticks are still seeking hosts.
Conclusion
Ticks are resilient arachnids well adapted for host seeking throughout much of the year. Their small size and variety of sensory capabilities allow ticks to take advantage of opportunities to find hosts overnight when conditions are right. Cooler night temperatures, elevated humidity, accessible hosts, and peak seasonal activity periods all influence whether ticks are likely to quest in darkness. While overall tick activity is higher in daylight, dogs and people may still encounter questing ticks at night in tick-friendly habitats during warmer months. Taking proper precautions can minimize nocturnal tick exposure and bites.