While ticks can be found year-round in Florida due to its warm climate, rising temperatures and high humidity make summer the peak of tick season in the state. This seasonal spike also aligns with an increase in outdoor activity, thereby raising the likelihood of tick bites, exposure to ticks, and the spread of serious tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
For pet owners, especially those with dogs, the risk is twofold. Dogs are naturally curious and often venture into tick-infested areas, making them more vulnerable to tick encounters. Worse still, they can carry ticks indoors, increasing the risk of disease transmission to the entire household.
Limiting outdoor time is one way to reduce tick exposure, but it’s not always feasible—especially when dogs need regular bathroom breaks. Gotta Go Grass offers a practical alternative with indoor grass pee pads for dogs that let you stay cautious without compromising your dog’s comfort or disrupting their potty training routine.
Tick Season in Florida
While tick exposure can happen any time of year, ticks are most active during the warmer months—typically from April through September.
A recent public health forecast by the National Pest Management Association’s Public Health Pest Index has issued heightened warnings for states like Florida. The report highlights how the state’s warm, humid climate supports a near-constant presence of disease-carrying pests such as ticks. While cooler, drier conditions earlier in the year may briefly slow activity, rising temperatures and humidity in the spring and summer are expected to trigger a significant surge in pest populations statewide.
Rising temperatures, high humidity, and increased outdoor activity among people and pets contribute to ideal conditions for tick proliferation and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
Warm temperatures and high humidity: These conditions accelerate tick development and support active populations of many tick species, including the brown dog tick, American dog tick, deer tick (also known as the black-legged tick), lone star tick, and Gulf Coast tick.
Increased outdoor activity: As people and pets spend more time in yards, parks, and wooded areas—mainly where ticks often lurk in tall grass, leaf litter, and dense vegetation—the chance of encountering ticks rises significantly.
Denser vegetation and tall grass: Summer growth leads to more tick-friendly environments. Ticks often wait in tall grasses or leaf litter, where they can easily jump onto passing animals or humans.
What Attracts Ticks to Dogs
Dogs are particularly susceptible to ticks due to their natural behavior and biological characteristics. They are low to the ground, curious, and frequently explore areas where ticks are most active. Once a tick finds a suitable host, it can attach and begin feeding, often unnoticed.
Body warmth and movement: Ticks can detect the heat and motion of a passing dog from several feet away.
Carbon dioxide from breathing: Like many parasites, ticks are attracted to exhaled COâ‚‚.
Scents from skin and fur: Natural body odors help ticks locate hosts.
Tall grasses and leaf litter on walking routes: These are prime habitats for tick populations, especially in tick-infested areas.
Frequent outdoor bathroom breaks in untreated areas: These daily routines increase a dog’s time spent in high-risk environments.
Understanding what attracts ticks can help you take proactive steps to prevent exposure to tick bites and keep your pets safe during peak season.
Safe Tick Prevention Tips for Dogs
While you can’t eliminate all risk, a consistent, layered approach can go a long way in protecting your dog from tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Here are some effective strategies to help reduce tick exposure, especially during peak months when ticks are actively laying eggs and spreading.
1. Do daily tick checks after outdoor time.
Inspect your dog thoroughly—especially around the ears, neck, between the toes, under the tail, and in the armpits.
2. Use vet-approved flea and tick preventatives.
Topical treatments, collars, and oral medications help repel or kill ticks before they can attach to their host.
3. Avoid wooded or brushy areas during walks.
Ticks lurk in tall grass, leaf litter, and dense vegetation. Stick to well-maintained trails or paved paths to lower your dog’s risk of tick encounters.
4. Keep your lawn trimmed and remove yard debris.
A tidy yard makes it harder for ticks to hide. Regular mowing and leaf cleanup can help reduce tick habitats near your home.
5. Bathe and groom your dog regularly.
Clean, brushed fur makes it easier to spot ticks early. Routine grooming also allows for more frequent inspections.
6. Use a tick comb for thorough inspections.
Especially for long-haired breeds, a fine-toothed tick comb can help you find and remove ticks that are otherwise hidden in the coat.
7. Limit outdoor time during peak tick hours.
If possible, reduce walks or outdoor bathroom breaks during early morning or evening hours when ticks are most active and humidity is high.
8. Monitor and maintain your yard for ticks.
Inspect your yard regularly for overgrowth or signs of tick-infested areas. Remove brush piles, keep grass trimmed, and clear leaf litter to eliminate areas where ticks hide and breed. A clean, open yard is less inviting to ticks and easier to maintain.
9. Rethink outdoor potty breaks.
Dogs that relieve themselves in untreated yards or parks multiple times a day face more tick exposure. Consider safer alternatives for high-risk areas.
10. Use indoor alternatives like Gotta Go Grass.
For dogs that require frequent bathroom breaks, especially during tick season, Gotta Go Grass offers a safer and convenient option with dog potty grass with a tray. It reduces outdoor exposure while supporting your dog’s potty training routine.
Gotta Go Grass: A Cleaner, Safer Alternative
Gotta Go Grass offers an innovative and effective way to minimize your dog’s outdoor exposure without disrupting their routine. These grass pads for dogs are designed for use on balconies, patios, or indoors—providing a natural-feeling place for dogs to go potty.
Limits outdoor exposure: Fewer trips outside during peak tick season in Florida means fewer opportunities for your dog to pick up a tick.
Ideal for high-risk pets: Puppies, older dogs, and pets with health issues benefit from the convenience and safety of at-home potty options.
Real grass feels familiar: Unlike synthetic pads, the real grass texture encourages natural potty behavior.
Easy to clean and replace: With its natural odor-locking and moisture-absorbing properties, the system is low-maintenance and mess-free.
Works in all living situations: Whether you’re in an apartment, condo, or a house with a backyard prone to ticks in Florida, this system adapts to your lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
Summer may be prime time for ticks, but with the right precautions, you can significantly reduce the risks to both you and your dog. Be proactive about tick prevention, stay alert for signs of tick bites, and consider solutions that reduce outdoor exposure.
Keep your dog safe this summer. Explore Gotta Go Grass for a convenient, tick-smart potty solution that helps you avoid risky outdoor exposure—without sacrificing your dog’s health, routine, or happiness.
