Ticks in Central Oregon

Reviewed by Dr. Erin Miller, DVM on September 3, 2026

Are there ticks in Central Oregon? We get asked this question often, and the answer is yes. Oregon is home to roughly 20 species of ticks, most active in spring and early summer, from April through July. Ticks seek out a host by climbing to the end of a branch or blade of grass and grabbing onto a passing animal or person. In Central Oregon, they tend to favor areas with long grass, bitterbrush, or manzanita.

Why Ticks Are a Concern

Beyond the simple discomfort of a bite, the bigger concern with ticks is disease transmission. Lyme disease is usually the first one that comes to mind, though only one of Oregon’s roughly 20 tick species, the Western black-legged tick, carries it. An estimated 1 to 5% of Western black-legged ticks carry Lyme disease, and compared to much of the rest of the country, Central Oregon sees a relatively low incidence, around 10 human cases per year in Deschutes County.

Lyme disease isn’t the only risk, though. Ticks in this region can also carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosis. Generally, a tick needs to stay attached to a host for at least 24 to 48 hours to transmit disease, which is why prompt removal matters.

How to Avoid Ticks

A few simple habits go a long way toward reducing tick exposure for you and your pet:

• Stay on the trail, and keep your pet on the trail too
• Do a tick check on yourself and your pet after every hike
• Use a veterinarian-recommended preventative, such as Credelio, to kill any ticks that do attach before they have time to transmit disease

What to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Pet

If you find an attached tick, here’s how to remove it safely:

• Use tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out, steadily and gently
• Don’t worry too much if small mouthparts remain in the skin. This can cause minor irritation, similar to a splinter, but it won’t spread disease, and the body typically expels the mouthparts on its own over time
• Clean the area with mild soap and water

If you have questions about ticks or would like to get a preventative like Credelio for your pet, please contact our office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks in Central Oregon