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Washington Ticks in Winter: What You Need to Know

Even during the coldest months, Washington ticks in winter do not die. Due to global warming and consistently milder winters, arthropods, including disease-carrying ticks, are now able to survive year-round. As a result, they remain capable of transmitting infections through a single bite. As a Lyme-literate naturopathic doctor, Dr. Susan Marra emphasizes the importance of understanding this year-round risk and taking practical steps to protect yourself outdoors in Washington.

Why Washington Ticks Survive Through Winter

Historically, freezing temperatures helped limit tick populations during winter. Today, warmer seasonal patterns allow ticks to remain active and feed even in colder conditions. This means Washington ticks in winter can still attach, bite, and transmit pathogens such as Lyme disease, Babesia, and other tick-borne infections.

Ticks in the Pacific Northwest are not fully dormant in winter—making consistent prevention essential.

How to Protect Yourself Outdoors in Winter

Use Natural Essential Oil Repellents

If you’re camping, hiking, or spending time outdoors in Washington, natural repellents can help reduce tick exposure. Essential oils such as:

  • Eucalyptus
  • Lemongrass
  • Clove

The can be applied to your clothing and exposed skin. These oils provide a safer, non-toxic option for repelling ticks.

Consider Permethrin-Treated Clothing

For stronger protection, you can purchase Permethrin-impregnated clothing online. Permethrin effectively repels and kills ticks on contact. This is a highly recommended option for anyone spending extended time outdoors in Washington.

Use DEET Only as a Last Resort

While DEET can be effective, it is a synthetic pesticide and may be neurotoxic. If you choose to use DEET, apply it sparingly and only when necessary.

Remember: because Washington ticks in winter stay active; these prevention strategies are essential year-round, not just in the summer.

Worried about Ticks in Winter or Possible Lyme Disease Symptoms? 

Dr. Susan Marra is a world-leading Lyme-literate Naturopathic Doctor specializing in the treatment of vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, Relapsing Fever, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Tularemia, Q Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and various Rickettsia species.

Dr. Marra also treats neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s), Post-Covid and Long-Covid conditions, anti-aging concerns, and environmental illnesses such as mold exposure. Trained by Lyme experts Dr. Richard Horowitz and Dr. Charles Ray Jones, Dr. Marra has extensive expertise in diagnosing and healing tick-borne disease.

Contact Dr. Susan Marra Today

For expert care in Lyme disease, tick-borne infections, chronic illness, or environmental health concerns, Dr. Susan Marra is currently accepting new patients. You can get in touch through the contact page or call the office directly at 206-299-2676 to schedule an appointment. Connect with Dr. Marra on Facebook, or explore educational videos on her YouTube channel!

A close-up of a brown and black tick with eight legs crawling on a green blade of grass, set against a solid blue background, highlights the importance of Nantucket Lyme Disease Research.
This undated photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a blacklegged tick, which is also known as a deer tick. Ticks will be more active than usual early in spring 2023, and that means Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections could spread earlier and in greater numbers than in a typical year. Ticks can transmit multiple diseases that sicken humans, and deer ticks, which spread Lyme, are a day-to-day fact of life in the warm months in New England and the Midwest. (CDC via AP, File)

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article—including text, graphics, images, and video content—is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician before starting any new health regimen, and never disregard medical advice because of something you have read, seen, or heard online.

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