Tick Control in Iowa
Browse tick information for 15 cities across Iowa. Provider availability is not guaranteed.
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Tick context for Iowa
Blacklegged ticks are established across substantial parts of the Upper Midwest, but county-level establishment and pathogen prevalence vary. Wooded habitat, leaf litter, and the lawn-to-woods edge deserve more attention than open, sunny lawn.
Ticks to distinguish
- Blacklegged tick
- Established in many Upper Midwest counties and the principal regional tick associated with Lyme disease transmission.
- American dog tick
- Common across much of the region, especially in grassy and more open habitat.
- Lone star tick
- More common toward southern portions of the region; reported distribution continues to change.
Seasonal planning
Exposure can occur whenever temperatures permit activity. Planning should account for small nymphs during warmer months and adult blacklegged ticks during cooler fall periods rather than relying on one universal “peak month.”
Where to inspect first
- Woodlands and brushy trail margins
- Moist leaf litter and shaded yard edges
- Tall grass and wildlife travel corridors
Property action checklist
- 1Prioritize the lawn-to-woods perimeter during inspection
- 2Keep paths and play areas away from brush
- 3Use current county surveillance when estimating local species presence
Primary sources
- Where ticks live: U.S. distribution maps — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Preventing tick bites and reducing yard exposure — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Tickborne diseases — Minnesota Department of Health
Educational regional context, not a diagnosis, local surveillance report, or substitute for medical or veterinary advice. Seek healthcare guidance for symptoms after a tick bite.
Ames
Pop: 67,000
Midwest Region
Ankeny
Pop: 71,000
Midwest Region
Cedar Falls
Pop: 40,000
Midwest Region
Cedar Rapids
Pop: 138,000
Midwest Region
Council Bluffs
Pop: 63,000
Midwest Region
Davenport
Pop: 101,000
Midwest Region
Des Moines
Pop: 211,000
Midwest Region
Dubuque
Pop: 60,000
Midwest Region
Iowa City
Pop: 76,000
Midwest Region
Marion
Pop: 42,000
Midwest Region
Sioux City
Pop: 85,000
Midwest Region
Urbandale
Pop: 46,000
Midwest Region
Waterloo
Pop: 67,000
Midwest Region
West Des Moines
Pop: 69,000
Midwest Region
Fort Dodge
Pop: 25,000
Midwest Region



