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Scientists Predict 2026 Could Bring a More Active Tick and Mosquito Season. Here’s How to Stay Protected Outdoors

Date05/06/2026

Following a winter of heavy snowfall and an early shift to warmer spring temperatures, public health experts say 2026 could bring a more active and widespread tick season, with earlier emergence and increased activity. As more Americans spend time outdoors, risk is also expanding into everyday spaces like backyards and parks.

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1. Rising Pest Activity: Warmer, Wetter Conditions Could Extend Tick and Mosquito Season

NOAA’s latest outlook shows ENSO-neutral conditions are favored through April–June 2026 (80% chance), with a 61% chance of El Niño emerging by May–July and persisting through the end of the year. This transition could bring warmer temperatures, increased precipitation, and higher humidity to parts of the U.S. later this summer—conditions that can create a more favorable environment for mosquitoes and ticks to thrive.

James Belanger, Vice President of Meteorology from The Weather Company, a strategic partner of OFF!® Repellents shared: “Tick season is already running weeks ahead of schedule after one of the warmest March-April stretches on record. Combined with a warm, wet May and an unusually active Southwest monsoon ahead, we're set up for an early start to bug season across the South and Midwest, with elevated mosquito activity across Arizona, New Mexico and the intermountain West this summer. The takeaway: don't wait for Memorial Day to think about protection."


2. Rising Exposure: Tick Exposure Is Increasing in Frequency and Geographic Reach
  • CDC data shows nearly 500,000 Lyme cases annually, with additional tick borne diseases like babesiosis and alpha-gal syndrome expanding. Meanwhile, tick bite ER visits are at their highest since 2019 (CDC), and ticks are spreading into new regions nationwide.

3. Expanding Disease Risk: Lyme Vaccine Progress Underscores Broader Prevention Need
  • While a Pfizer/Valneva Lyme vaccine is progressing (Scientific American), it won’t protect against other growing tick-borne illnesses like anaplasmosis and alpha-gal syndrome.
  • Experts stress that prevention—especially avoiding bites by using EPA-registered repellents—remains critical ahead of a potentially active 2026 season.

Taken together, these trends reinforce a clear takeaway: prevention is more important than ever. Proactive prevention - especially the use of EPA-registered repellents - remains one of the most effective ways to reduce risk right now.

OFF!® offers a range of repellents to help reduce the risk of bites from mosquitoes and ticks during this outdoor season.


OFF!® Solutions:
  • OFF!® Deep Woods Insect Repellent V Tick Aerosol: Provides protection from ticks, including those that may carry Lyme Disease. Contains 25% DEET
  • OFF!® Deep Woods MAX Insect Repellent Aerosol: A new OFF!® innovation offers a picaridin-based solution that outdoor enthusiasts can trust to repel ticks for up to 10 hours
  • OFF!® Insect Repellent Aerosol for Adults & Kids – OFF!® Insect Repellent 1: Formulated with Picaridin, OFF!® for Adults & Kids aerosol spray is easy to use and provides non-greasy, fragrance free protection from mosquitoes and ticks
  • OFF!® Clear Gel Insect Repellent – OFF!® Clean Feel Insect Repellent V: Contains skin-softening ingredients that provide a hydrating, smooth finish while helping protect you from ticks, including those that may carry Lyme Disease