For families living on Long Island, tick season isn't a distant concern — it's a fact of life. With some of the highest tick densities in the entire United States, Suffolk and Nassau Counties sit at ground zero for tick-borne illness exposure in America. Newsday's reporting on Long Island's tick season makes clear that 2026 is shaping up to be another intense year for residents across the island.
If you hike at Caumsett State Park, walk trails in the Hamptons, let your kids play on the edges of wooded yards in Huntington or Smithtown, or take your dog for a walk anywhere near brush or high grass — you are in tick territory. Understanding what you're up against, and having the right tools on hand, can make the difference between a scare and a serious illness.
Why Long Island Is Tick Central
Long Island's geography and ecology make it one of the most tick-dense environments in the country:
High deer populations. White-tailed deer are the primary host for adult black-legged ticks, and Long Island's deer population is among the densest in the Northeast. Wherever deer roam — which is nearly everywhere on the island — ticks follow.
Optimal habitat. The wooded edges, scrublands, and beach dunes that make Long Island beautiful are exactly the type of habitat that black-legged ticks thrive in. They prefer the transition zones between forests and lawns, which describes nearly every residential backyard on the island.
Year-round activity. Unlike mosquitoes, ticks remain active whenever temperatures are above roughly 35–40°F. In Long Island's increasingly mild winters, this means ticks can be active for nearly ten months of the year. Spring and fall — when many people let their guard down — can be just as risky as peak summer.
The Ticks You Need to Know About on Long Island
Black-legged tick (deer tick) — Ixodes scapularis: The primary carrier of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. Found throughout Long Island. At the nymph stage (roughly the size of a poppy seed), they are nearly impossible to spot and responsible for the majority of Lyme disease cases.
Lone star tick — Amblyomma americanum: Found in increasing numbers across Long Island, particularly in Suffolk County. Carrier of ehrlichiosis and, in rare cases, alpha-gal syndrome — an acquired red meat allergy.
American dog tick — Dermacentor variabilis: Larger and easier to see, but still capable of transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
When Is Tick Season on Long Island?
The answer may surprise you: there is no defined off-season anymore.
- March–May: Nymph-stage deer ticks emerge. This is the highest-risk period for Lyme disease because nymphs are tiny, difficult to detect, and actively feeding.
- June–August: Adult deer ticks remain active. Lone star tick activity peaks.
- September–November: A second surge of adult deer tick activity. Many families are caught off guard as the weather cools.
- December–February: Ticks enter slower activity in cold snaps but can re-emerge during warm spells.
The practical takeaway: check for ticks after any outdoor activity, any time of year.
How to Do a Proper Tick Check
Ticks are masters at finding hidden places on the body. A tick check after every outdoor excursion is your most reliable defense. Focus on:
- Hairline, scalp, and behind the ears
- Back of the neck
- Underarms and groin
- Behind the knees and between the toes
- Belly button
For kids, make tick checks part of the post-outdoor routine — as habitual as washing hands before dinner. For dogs, run your hands through their fur focusing on the face, ears, under the collar, between the toes, and around the tail.
The key rule: A tick attached for fewer than 24 hours rarely transmits Lyme disease. Rapid removal is everything.
The Chemical-Free Tool Long Island Families Are Using
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