New Jersey residents frequently encounter ticks, small arachnids that can pose health risks. Understanding when ticks are most active in the state is important for minimizing exposure. While many associate ticks with warmer months, these creatures are present throughout the year in New Jersey. Awareness of their seasonal patterns and specific habits is key to effective prevention.
Understanding New Jersey’s Tick Activity Throughout the Year
Ticks are active year-round in New Jersey, not just during warmer months. Their activity levels fluctuate with environmental conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. During mild winter days, when temperatures rise above freezing, ticks can emerge and seek hosts, making encounters possible even in colder months.
Spring marks an increase in tick activity as temperatures consistently rise, with populations growing significantly through late spring and early summer. Summer months, from May through August, typically represent the peak period for overall tick activity in New Jersey. High humidity and ample vegetation provide ideal conditions for ticks to thrive and quest for hosts.
While activity decreases in late fall and winter, ticks do not disappear entirely. The state’s diverse landscapes, including wooded areas, tall grasses, and even suburban yards, provide suitable habitats for ticks regardless of the season.
Key Tick Species and Their Seasonal Habits
New Jersey is home to several common tick species, each with distinct peak activity periods. The blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, is widely recognized for transmitting Lyme disease. Adult blacklegged ticks are most active in the fall and early spring, and can also be found seeking hosts during winter thaws when temperatures are above freezing. The nymphal stage of the blacklegged tick, which is very small and difficult to detect, is most active from late spring through early summer, typically peaking between May and July.
The American dog tick is another prevalent species found throughout New Jersey, favoring grassy areas and the edges of wooded habitats. Adult American dog ticks are active from April through early September, with their peak abundance occurring between April and July. Larvae and nymphs of this species are primarily active during the spring and summer months. American dog ticks are known to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The lone star tick is an aggressive species, particularly common in southern New Jersey and expanding northward. Adults are most active from mid-April through mid-June, while nymphs are active from April to July, and larvae from July to September. Unlike blacklegged ticks, lone star ticks are noted for actively pursuing hosts rather than passively waiting. This species can transmit ehrlichiosis and has been linked to alpha-gal syndrome.
Preventive Measures for Tick Season
Protecting yourself from tick bites involves several steps, especially when outdoors in New Jersey. Wearing appropriate clothing creates a physical barrier against ticks, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks that may be crawling on you.
Use EPA-registered insect repellents on exposed skin. Products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) repel ticks. Clothing and outdoor gear can also be treated with permethrin, an insecticide that kills ticks on contact. Always follow product label instructions.
After spending time outdoors, perform thorough tick checks on yourself, children, and pets. Showering within two hours of coming indoors helps wash off unattached ticks. Pay close attention to areas such as:
- The scalp
- Ears
- Armpits
- Inside the belly button
- Behind the knees
- Between the legs
If a tick is found attached, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers by grasping the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick.