Fall in Minnesota doesn’t mean tick season is over. Learn why prevention is still key and how to keep your dog safe until the first hard frost.
Don’t Put Away the Tick Preventatives Just Yet
We get it — the leaves are turning, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and you think the bugs have finally packed it in for the year.
Bad news: Minnesota ticks didn’t get that memo.
Fall is actually prime tick season. Those creepy little freeloaders are still active until we have a consistent hard frost — and sometimes even after that in mild pockets. That means September, October, and even early November can still see tick bites and, unfortunately, tick-borne illnesses.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, adult ticks in our state are most active in spring and fall, often staying busy until the ground is consistently frozen.
The University of Minnesota School of Public Health adds that deer ticks are especially active September through November when temperatures hover above freezing and there’s no snow cover.
Why Ticks Love Minnesota Falls
Cool temps = perfect tick weather. They’re less likely to dry out and more active during your dog’s walks.
Leaf litter is a tick resort — damp, shaded, and full of hosts like mice and deer.
Busy wildlife season means more carriers moving through your yard, parks, and trails.
The Risks for Your Dog
Minnesota is no stranger to Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. All three can cause serious symptoms in dogs:
Fever
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Joint pain or lameness
And because ticks can transmit disease in as little as 24 hours (Associated Press), prevention isn’t optional.
Prevention Tips That Still Matter in Fall
Stay on a Vet-Approved Preventative
Whether it’s a monthly topical like Frontline® or K9 Advantix®, or an oral medication like NexGard® or Bravecto®, your vet can recommend the right product based on your dog’s lifestyle and health history. Don’t stop these until the ground is frozen solid — and even then, check with your vet before taking a break.Make Tick Checks a Daily Habit
After every walk, hike, or play session, run your hands over your dog’s coat and feel for small bumps. Pay extra attention to under the collar, inside ears, armpits, groin, between toes, and under the tail — ticks love hiding in warm, dark places.Add Bath Time to Your Tick Patrol
Giving your dog a bath with a gentle flea & tick shampoo can help wash away ticks before they attach. If you don’t have time for a full bath, a Self Wash session here at Dog Day Getaway makes it easy — and we clean up the mess for you.Keep Yards & Play Spaces Maintained
Mow grass regularly, rake up leaves, and clear brush or wood piles where ticks and their wildlife hosts like to hang out. Shorter vegetation means fewer hiding spots.Use Tick-Repellent Accessories
Consider a tick-repellent bandana, collar, or tag — just make sure it’s from a trusted brand and safe for dogs. These can be helpful as an added layer of defense but should never replace vet-approved preventatives.Stay on the Trails
When hiking or walking, keep your dog in the center of the path and away from tall grass, leaf piles, or heavily wooded brush where ticks lurk.
How Dog Day Getaway Keeps Guests Safe
Here at Dog Day Getaway, we’re just as serious about tick prevention in October as we are in May. Our play yards are regularly maintained to reduce tick habitat, and staff are trained to spot anything unusual during your dog’s visit.
If your dog hasn’t been in for a while, check out our Daycare and Boarding services — safe spaces, supervised play, and clean yards mean less tick risk and more tail wags.
Bottom Line
Fall is gorgeous in Minnesota, but ticks don’t take seasonal breaks. Keep your pup protected until the frost actually sets in — and maybe longer if we get another one of those weird warm winters.
Thanks to shifting weather patterns, some areas of Minnesota are seeing longer tick seasons, according to Verywell Health, making fall prevention more important than ever.