Ticks are found almost everywhere people and animals live, especially in warm, humid areas with vegetation and wildlife that they can feed on.

Common outdoor places ticks live

Ticks do not jump or fly; they wait on low vegetation and grab on when you brush past.

Typical habitats include:

  • Forests and woodlands with leaf litter on the ground.
  • Overgrown grass, brush, and weedy areas along trails and paths.
  • Meadow edges, field borders, and the transition zone between lawn and woods.
  • Piles of leaves, yard debris, and low shrubs where it stays moist and shaded.

Contrary to a common myth, ticks are usually near the ground, not dropping from tall tree branches.

Where ticks are found in the world

Ticks are present on most continents and are especially successful in regions that are warm and humid.

  • High numbers occur in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Australia.
  • They are uncommon in very cold polar regions and extremely dry deserts, where they cannot complete their life cycle.

In the United States, different species have characteristic regions:

  • Blacklegged (deer) tick: widely across the eastern U.S.
  • American dog tick: mainly east of the Rocky Mountains, with some western pockets.
  • Lone star tick: common in the Northeast, South, and Midwest.
  • Rocky Mountain wood tick: higher elevations in the Rocky Mountain states and parts of southwestern Canada.

Near homes, pets, and people

Ticks often live very close to where people and pets spend time outdoors.

You’re more likely to encounter them:

  • Along the edges of yards that border woods or brush.
  • In dog runs, kennels, and areas where wildlife or stray animals pass through.
  • On dogs and sometimes indoors with brown dog ticks, which can infest houses and kennels.

Quick prevention tips

Because ticks are so widespread, the focus is on avoiding bites rather than avoiding nature altogether.

  • Stay on the center of trails; avoid brushing against tall grass and shrubs.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants, and use tick repellents on skin or clothing as directed.
  • Do a full-body tick check after being in tick habitat, especially scalp, behind ears, armpits, waistline, and behind knees.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.