Quick answer: Long Island has three common ticks: the blacklegged (deer) tick, the lone star tick and the American dog tick. They concentrate along shaded edges, leaf litter and tall grass, not in open sunny lawn. The most effective control combines targeted perimeter treatment, yard cleanup and personal protection.
Which ticks live on Long Island?
- Blacklegged tick (deer tick). The tick that transmits Lyme disease, as well as anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed.
- Lone star tick. Aggressive and increasingly common, especially on the East End. Associated with ehrlichiosis and with alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy.
- American dog tick. Larger, found in grassy and brushy areas. Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
When is tick season?
There is no true off season. Ticks can be active any day the temperature is above freezing. Risk peaks from late spring through early summer, when nymphs are feeding and are hardest to see, and again in fall when adult blacklegged ticks are active.
Where do ticks hide in a yard?
Ticks dry out quickly in sun and short grass. Look for them where it stays shaded and humid:
- The first few feet where lawn meets woods
- Leaf litter and ground cover
- Tall grass, brush and overgrown beds
- Stone walls and wood piles, which shelter the mice that carry ticks
How do yard treatments work?
A professional treatment targets those habitats: the property perimeter, wood line, beds and shaded areas, rather than blanket spraying open lawn. Timing treatments to the tick life cycle matters, which is why programs use several visits from spring through fall. Treatment reduces the tick population on the property. It does not create a tick free yard, and it should be paired with the steps below.
What can homeowners do?
- Clear leaf litter and brush from lawn edges
- Keep grass mowed
- Put a 3 foot strip of wood chips or gravel between lawn and woods
- Move swing sets and seating away from the wood line into the sun
- Stack firewood neatly in a dry spot
- Do a tick check after time outdoors and use an EPA registered repellent
Related: Mosquito control for Long Island yards | Tick and mosquito service
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you are bitten by a tick and feel unwell, contact a healthcare provider. Pesticides must always be applied according to the product label and New York regulations.