Ticks are established within the five boroughs of New York City. While these parasites are commonly associated with rural environments, they thrive in the city’s extensive network of parks, greenways, and natural areas. The presence of ticks is particularly noticeable in the peripheral boroughs, where large, wooded parks and natural habitats provide ideal conditions for them to feed and reproduce. Understanding their presence sets the stage for the necessary precautions for residents and visitors enjoying the city’s outdoor spaces.
Tick Presence Across NYC Boroughs
Tick populations are not evenly distributed across the city, concentrating in boroughs with the largest contiguous green spaces. The highest risk for established tick populations is currently in Staten Island, which contains expansive natural areas and a substantial deer population, a primary host for the blacklegged tick. The North Bronx, specifically Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park, also serves as a known habitat where ticks carrying pathogens are frequently collected.
The American Dog Tick has been found in all five boroughs, demonstrating that no part of the city is entirely free of risk. Surveillance data indicates an expansion of the Blacklegged Tick into parks in Brooklyn and Queens, necessitating increased vigilance. Ticks prefer wooded areas, tall grasses, and leaf litter, typically found on the edges of trails and in dense shrubbery within parks.
Common Tick Species Found in the Region
Three species are most commonly encountered in the New York City region. The Blacklegged Tick, often called the Deer Tick, is the smallest; nymphs are approximately the size of a poppy seed, and adults are about the size of a sesame seed. Adult females are identifiable by their reddish-orange body and black dorsal shield.
The American Dog Tick is noticeably larger, with adults growing slightly bigger than a pea, and they are reddish-brown with white or silvery markings. This species is found throughout all five boroughs and is the primary vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The Lone Star Tick is established in Staten Island and parts of the Bronx, recognized by the distinct white spot on the back of the adult female.
Understanding Tick-Borne Illnesses
The transmission of pathogens that cause illness is the main health risk associated with ticks, occurring after an attached tick has fed for a certain period. Lyme disease is the most frequently reported illness among New Yorkers, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi carried by the Blacklegged Tick. The most recognizable early sign is the erythema migrans rash, a slowly expanding red area that can sometimes resemble a bull’s-eye pattern. Early symptoms also include fever, headache, and muscle or joint pain.
Two other organisms carried by the Blacklegged Tick can cause Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis, which present with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue one to two weeks after a bite. Babesiosis is a parasitic infection of red blood cells that can be severe in individuals with compromised immune systems or those without a spleen. While most cases in NYC residents are acquired during travel outside the city, local transmission has been confirmed, primarily in Staten Island and the Bronx.
Protecting Yourself and Pets
Preventative measures are the most effective way to prevent tick bites and disease transmission while enjoying the city’s parks and green spaces. When entering wooded or tall-grass areas, wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach. Tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants creates a physical barrier, forcing ticks to crawl on the outside of clothing.
The use of an EPA-registered insect repellent is recommended, with products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus applied to exposed skin. For clothing and gear, applying products containing permethrin can repel and kill ticks on contact, remaining effective through several washes. After spending time outdoors, showering within two hours can wash away unattached ticks. A thorough full-body check should be performed, paying close attention to areas like the scalp, ears, navel, and around the waistline.
If an attached tick is found, safe removal is accomplished using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible, ideally at the head near the mouthparts. Apply a slow, steady, upward pull without twisting or crushing the tick’s body, which could cause its mouthparts to break off or release infectious fluids. Once removed, clean the bite area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. The tick can be saved in a sealed container for potential identification or testing if symptoms develop.