Winter in New England always feels long. When spring finally arrives, we can't wait to get outside, soak up some sun and enjoy everything turning green again. But the warm weather brings something else with it: bug season.
Here in rural New Hampshire, ticks show up first in March or early April, black flies arrive in April, and mosquitoes follow in May. Knowing what each bug looks like, when it's active and how to deal with it makes a big difference. This guide covers all three so you can enjoy the outdoors and keep your family protected.
Quick answer: In New Hampshire and most of New England, ticks become active from about mid-March, once temperatures stay above roughly 45°F, and remain a concern through early June and again in fall. Black flies emerge in mid-April in southern NH and last through late May. Mosquitoes appear in May once it's around 50°F and peak in late May and early June.
New Hampshire Bug Season Calendar
Typical activity in southern New Hampshire. Hover or tap a bar for details, or select it to jump to that section.
Dates shift from year to year and by region. Northern areas run a few weeks later.Ticks
Shown: a female blacklegged (deer) tick. Ticks vary in size, color and markings.
How to Identify a Tick
Tick identification checklist
- 8 legs and an oval-shaped body
- Size ranges from a poppy seed to a corn kernel (nymphs are tiny)
- No eyes, with small mouthparts that stick out from the head
- Crawls through brush, leaf litter, grass, woodpiles, bushes and trees
- Does not jump, fly or make sounds
- Often found "questing" on grass or low plants, waiting for a host
- Prefers moist areas with moderate temperatures
When Does Tick Season Start?
In New England, tick season typically runs from mid-March to June. The first wave usually appears in mid-to-late March, once temperatures climb above about 45°F, and lasts into late May or early June. Ticks are active again in fall. The exact start varies each year and by location.
Ticks thrive in the temperate, humid conditions of the Northeast, including New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. They have been found in nearly every U.S. state.
Pro tip: Ticks don't like hot, dry conditions and tend to retreat in the heat of summer to avoid drying out. You can use this to your advantage: after spending time in a tick-prone area, put your dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for about 10 minutes to kill any ticks that hitched a ride.
Common Tick Species in the United States
The most common species include the blacklegged (deer) tick, the American dog tick and the lone star tick. For maps showing where each species lives, see the CDC's tick resources.
What to Wear During Tick Season
From March through early June, wear light colors so dark ticks are easier to spot. White socks pulled up over your pant legs work well, and tall boots with pants tucked in add another barrier.
Natural Tick Repellent
Tick Ban by YAYA Organics
An extra strength, all-natural formula made with a blend of essential oils, including cedarwood, peppermint, geranium, thyme and rosemary, to help keep ticks away. Fresh, uplifting scent, eco-friendly and lab tested.
Spray liberally from the waist down and reapply about every 90 minutes. Tick Ban can also be used on dogs.
Shop Tick BanHow to Do a Tick Check
Daily tick checks during tick season are essential. Ticks are small, especially nymphs, and their saliva contains compounds that numb the bite area, so you often won't feel one attach. Regular, thorough checks help you find and remove ticks early.
Tick check tips
- Check the whole body. Ticks can attach anywhere, and we often find them heading toward the hair.
- Good times to check: before or after a shower, or right before bed.
- If you've just walked through a tick-prone area, check right away.
- Always do tick checks, even if you used a repellent, natural or synthetic.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
If you find an attached tick, don't panic. The area may look slightly red, swollen or itchy depending on how long it's been there.
- Grab fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool such as the TickKey.
- Grip the tick close to the skin, right where it's attached. Never squeeze the body, which can burst it.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure until the tick releases.
- Save it for testing or dispose of it. To test, seal it in a small plastic bag or jar labeled with your name and the date. Otherwise, flush it, wrap it tightly in tape or drop it in a small jar of rubbing alcohol.
- Clean the bite (see below).
Tick Bite Care
Wash the bite with soap and water or rubbing alcohol right away. Follow with an antibacterial cream or an antibacterial essential oil such as tea tree. For sensitive skin, geranium or lavender is gentler. Watch the area over the following weeks, and contact your doctor if you notice a rash, fever or other symptoms.
Black Flies
How to Identify a Black Fly
Black fly identification checklist
- Black in color (no surprise there)
- Small, sturdy, six-legged flying insect, about 1/20 to 1/3 inch long
- Short, stocky body with short legs compared to a mosquito
- Distinct humped back, which is why they're also called "buffalo gnats"
- Rounded head
- Only the females bite
When Is Black Fly Season in New Hampshire?
Black flies begin emerging in mid-April in southern New Hampshire and last through the end of May. In northern New Hampshire, they show up in mid-to-late May. Ticks are still active during this time, so expect some overlap. Thankfully, black fly season is short.
Getting to Know the Black Fly
In New Hampshire, black fly bites are notorious because they really hurt. There are many kinds of black flies, but only a couple of species bite people here. They travel in swarms, move fast and can keep pace with you even if you run.
Black fly life cycle: Black flies breed only in running water. Females lay eggs on streamside plants or the water's surface, and the larvae can't tolerate pollution, so a big black fly population is actually a sign of a healthy stream. Adults emerge from the water, mate nearby, and females set off in search of a blood meal. Many species feed only on birds. Source: Karen Finogle, "Black Flies and Mosquitoes: What Good Are They?", New Hampshire Wildlife Journal.
How to Avoid Black Fly Bites
Black flies are persistent, and their bites can leave welts that bleed. These habits help keep them at bay:
Black fly protection tips
- Wear a bug net when you're outside during the day. Black flies don't bite at night.
- Choose light colors such as light orange, yellow or blue. Avoid dark green, brown and red.
- Time your outdoor activity. Peak biting hours are about 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
- Use an extra strength natural repellent on your head, neck and upper body.
Squito Ban for Black Flies
Many customers, and our own team, find Squito Ban very helpful against black flies, although the formula hasn't been formally tested on them. Since black flies swarm around the head, spray it on a hat and around your head, neck and upper body, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth.
Shop Squito BanMosquitoes
How to Identify a Mosquito
Mosquito identification checklist
- Six-legged flying insect with long, jointed legs
- Long, needle-like mouthpart (proboscis) used to bite
- Small, round eyes
- Makes a high-pitched buzzing sound
- Lives and breeds in or near standing water
- Only females bite, since they need blood to produce eggs
When Does Mosquito Season Start?
Mosquitoes become active once temperatures reach about 50°F. In New Hampshire, that's usually May: early May in the south and late May in the north. They hit peak numbers in late May and early June and thrive through the hot summer months.
Mosquito Species in New Hampshire
There are roughly 2,500 to 3,500 mosquito species worldwide. About 43 occur in New Hampshire, 28 of those bite people, and 14 are considered serious pests because they're so abundant.
How to Keep Mosquitoes Away
Squito Ban by YAYA Organics
An extra strength repellent made with 100% plant-based ingredients, including clove, citronella, peppermint, cedarwood and rosemary. Clove and citronella sit at the heart of the blend, as a published university study found them among the most effective essential oils for repelling mosquitoes. Lab tested and proven effective against mosquitoes, with a fresh herbal scent.
Shop Squito BanMore ways to beat mosquitoes
- Cover up with long sleeves and pants when you can, plus a hat with bug netting.
- Light a citronella candle on the deck, patio or pavilion.
- Drain standing water around your property. Mosquitoes need it to breed, so removing it cuts their numbers.
- Use an eco-friendly, cedar-based yard spray if mosquitoes are heavy where you live.
How to Protect Babies and Young Children from Bugs
Gentle Bug Repellent for Sensitive Skin
Baby Bug Ban by YAYA Organics
An extra gentle repellent made with 100% plant-based, non-toxic ingredients, including skin-soothing rose geranium essential oil. Lab tested and proven effective against mosquitoes and other biting bugs.
Shop Baby Bug Ban| Who | How to protect them |
|---|---|
| Babies under 6 months | Use a mosquito net over the stroller or pram. You can spray the stroller and net with Baby Bug Ban. |
| Babies 6+ months, toddlers and children | Baby Bug Ban on exposed skin, plus light, covering clothing. |
| Pregnant and nursing mothers | Baby Bug Ban's gentle, plant-based formula. |
| Anyone with sensitive skin | Baby Bug Ban as a gentler everyday option. |
Bug Season Quick Reference
| Bug | Active in NH | Trigger | Best defense |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticks | Mid-March to early June, plus fall | Above about 45°F | Light clothing, socks over pants, Tick Ban, daily tick checks |
| Black flies | Mid-April to late May | Spring stream emergence | Bug net, light colors, avoid peak hours, Squito Ban on upper body |
| Mosquitoes | May through summer | About 50°F | Squito Ban, long sleeves, drain standing water |
Bug Season FAQ
When does tick season start in New Hampshire?
Ticks usually become active in mid-to-late March, once temperatures rise above about 45°F. They stay active through late May or early June and return in fall.
What time of day do black flies bite?
Black flies bite during daylight, with peak activity around 9 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. They don't bite at night.
When do mosquitoes come out in New England?
Mosquitoes become active at around 50°F, which is typically May in New Hampshire. They peak in late May and early June and stay active through summer.
What is the safest way to remove a tick?
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a tick removal tool, grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull upward with steady pressure. Don't squeeze the body. Then wash the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
Does putting clothes in the dryer kill ticks?
Yes. Ticks dry out in hot, dry conditions. Tumbling dry clothes on high heat for about 10 minutes after time in a tick-prone area kills ticks that may be on them.
Do I still need tick checks if I use repellent?
Yes. Do a full-body tick check after time outdoors during tick season, whether you used a natural or synthetic repellent.
Is there a natural bug repellent for babies?
Baby Bug Ban by YAYA Organics is a gentle, plant-based repellent for babies 6 months and older, toddlers, children and people with sensitive skin. For babies under 6 months, use a mosquito net over the stroller. Check with your physician if your child has medical concerns.
That's a wrap. You're now ready to protect your family from ticks, black flies and mosquitoes all season long. If this guide helped, share it with friends and family. Stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors!
The YAYA Organics Team