Ticks in New York

Written by Phillip George · Last updated: July 24, 2026

Ticks in New York: what to actually watch for

New York spans two tick stories at once. The Hudson Valley and lower Hudson region are among the most intense Lyme disease zones in the entire United States, while Long Island and the downstate area are now the front line of a fast-spreading southern tick — the lone star — that brings its own set of problems, including the red-meat allergy known as alpha-gal syndrome. This guide covers both, plus what to do after a bite.

Key takeaways for New York

• The Hudson Valley is a Lyme epicenter: blacklegged ticks there carry high infection rates for Lyme, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
• Lone star ticks are surging downstate: aggressive human-biters common on Long Island and in the lower Hudson, linked to ehrlichiosis, STARI, and alpha-gal syndrome.
• A newcomer is established: the Asian longhorned tick is now found in parts of New York, mainly a livestock and pet concern for now.

Which ticks you'll actually encounter

• Blacklegged / deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) — the main disease vector statewide, driving Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan. Densest in the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and central/upstate wooded areas.
• Lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) — round-bodied, fast-moving, with a white dot on the female's back. Very common on Long Island; bites can trigger alpha-gal (red-meat) allergy and transmit ehrlichiosis.
• American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) — widespread; a nuisance biter that rarely transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Source: New York State Department of Health — Lyme disease.

Where and when risk is highest

Lyme risk is highest in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Catskills, and central New York; lone star tick risk is highest on Long Island and downstate but is spreading north. Ticks are active any time it is above roughly freezing, with the dangerous blacklegged nymphs peaking from May through July. Wooded edges, leaf litter, and tall grass are the highest-exposure spots.

Tick-borne diseases reported in New York

• Lyme disease — very common, especially in the Hudson Valley.
• Anaplasmosis and babesiosis — increasing, from the same blacklegged tick.
• Ehrlichiosis and STARI — associated with lone star ticks downstate.
• Powassan virus — rare but serious.
• Alpha-gal syndrome — a red-meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites.

For symptoms and timelines, see our tick-borne disease symptoms in humans guide.

Found a tick in New York? Do this

1. Remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers — follow our tick removal guide.
2. Identify it using our tick identification guide — telling a blacklegged tick from a lone star tick changes what you watch for.
3. Record the date and location and monitor for a rash or flu-like symptoms for several weeks.
4. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop, and ask about post-exposure options after a bite in a high-risk area.

Official New York resources

• New York State Department of Health — Lyme disease
• CDC — Ticks (species, regions, prevention)
• CDC — What to do after a tick bite

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