Tick Season in New Jersey: What to Know, When It Peaks, and How to Stay Safe
March 30, 2026
New Jersey has more than 7,200 reported Lyme disease cases in a single year — and experts believe the actual number is significantly higher due to underreporting. If you live, work, or spend time outdoors in the Garden State, tick season is not something you can afford to ignore.
Tick season in New Jersey is longer and more active than many residents expect. Understanding when ticks are most dangerous, which species to watch for, and how to protect yourself and your family can make a real difference in your health this year and every year after.
Key Insight: New Jersey has officially designated May as Tickborne Disease Awareness Month, reflecting just how significant the tick threat is across the state.
When Is Tick Season in New Jersey
Tick season in New Jersey runs from spring through summer, generally April through September. The peak season falls in May and June, with May designated as Tick Awareness Month in the state. However, you should not assume that risk disappears outside of those months.
Ticks in New Jersey are most active in spring and early summer, with tick season peaking from May through August. That said, certain species like the blacklegged tick can remain active year-round, especially during mild winters.
Here is the important truth: ticks don’t “wait for summer.” In New Jersey, ticks can become active whenever temperatures rise above freezing — especially along leaf litter, wooded edges, and shaded borders where humidity stays high. This means early spring warm spells and late fall outings both carry real exposure risk.
Pro Tip: Think of tick season in terms of life stages. Nymphs — which are tiny and easy to miss — peak from late May through early July and are responsible for the majority of human Lyme disease infections. Adults are larger and easier to spot, but remain active from fall through early spring.
A recent study presented at ID Week 2024 shows that tick-borne diseases in New Jersey are increasing and tick season is expanding. Researchers summarized the trend clearly: tick-borne diseases are rising, the season for ticks seems to be expanding, and these trends correlate with warmer and wetter conditions. Being prepared earlier in the year — and staying alert later — is now the smarter approach for New Jersey residents.
Types of Ticks Found in New Jersey
Among the three most common tick species in New Jersey — the blacklegged (deer) tick, the lone star tick, and the American dog tick — only the blacklegged tick carries Lyme disease. But all three species can transmit potentially serious illnesses. Knowing how to identify each one helps you understand your specific risk after an outdoor outing.
To learn more about how ticks reproduce and why populations grow so quickly each season, see this overview of tick reproduction.
Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)
Commonly known as the deer tick, the blacklegged tick is one of the most well-known tick species in New Jersey due to its role in transmitting Lyme disease. These ticks are commonly found in wooded areas, along trails, and in grassy fields. Adults are most active during fall and early spring, while nymphs — responsible for most human Lyme disease infections — peak from late spring through early summer.
The small size of nymphal ticks makes them difficult to detect, delaying removal and increasing the likelihood of disease transmission. In addition to Lyme disease, blacklegged ticks can transmit anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan Virus to humans and pets.
Lone Star Tick
New Jersey tick surveillance guidance identifies blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks as the two species of greatest public health importance in the state. The lone star tick is identifiable by the distinctive white spot on the back of the adult female. It is an aggressive biter and is associated with ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and alpha-gal syndrome — a red meat allergy triggered by its saliva.
American Dog Tick
The American dog tick is a common tick species found in grassy areas throughout New Jersey. It is larger than the blacklegged tick and is the primary vector for Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the state. It tends to be most active from late spring through summer and is frequently encountered along trails, roadsides, and open fields.
Asian Longhorned Tick (Emerging Species)
The discovery of the longhorned tick in Hunterdon County in 2017 revealed the need for expanded tick surveillance in New Jersey. A species native to East Asia, the Asian longhorned tick is a serious livestock pest associated with several human tick-borne diseases in other parts of the world, including anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. Subsequent findings show that it was present in New Jersey as early as 2013. This invasive species is now present in parts of the state and is being monitored closely for its disease potential.
| Tick Species | Peak Activity | Primary Diseases | Common Habitat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged (Deer) Tick | Spring nymphs; Fall/Spring adults | Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Powassan | Wooded areas, trails, grassy fields |
| Lone Star Tick | Spring through Summer | Ehrlichiosis, Alpha-gal syndrome, Tularemia | Shrubby woodland edges, open fields |
| American Dog Tick | Late Spring through Summer | Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia | Grassy areas, roadsides, trails |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | Under surveillance | Under investigation in the U.S. | Wooded/grassy areas, livestock zones |
Tick-Borne Diseases in New Jersey
As one infectious disease expert puts it: “It’s not just Lyme disease; one tick can carry multiple diseases.” That reality is especially relevant in New Jersey, which is one of the most tick-dense states in the country.
Tick-borne diseases reported in New Jersey include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, spotted fever group rickettsiosis, Powassan virus, and tularemia. Additionally, there have been over 1,000 reported cases of Alpha-Gal Syndrome during the same reporting timeframe.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is primarily caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include chills, fever, bull’s-eye rash, headache, and muscle pain. In its advanced stages, Lyme disease affects the central nervous system, heart, and joints.
In the three years since the Lyme disease case definition was updated in 2022, New Jersey has had an average incidence of 69.1 cases per 100,000 population. New Jersey is considered a high-incidence state for Lyme disease. For years, New Jersey has ranked in the top five states in the nation for Lyme disease.
Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are spread by the lone star, American dog, and deer ticks. Both conditions produce flu-like symptoms including fever, headache, and muscle aches. Left untreated, they can become serious — particularly in older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Babesiosis
The severity of babesiosis infection depends on the Babesia species and the immune status of the host. It is transmitted by the blacklegged tick and may cause fatigue, fever, sweats, and chills. Some people — especially those without a spleen — can develop life-threatening complications.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rickettsia infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, can be fatal if not treated quickly. Although it sounds like a western condition, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is present in New Jersey and is primarily spread by the American dog tick. Rapid medical treatment is essential if this disease is suspected.
Powassan Virus and Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Powassan virus is a rare but serious tick-borne illness transmitted by the blacklegged tick. It can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation) and has no specific treatment. You can read more about tick-borne encephalitis to better understand this category of neurological risk.
New Jersey ticks are also capable of transmitting alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy triggered by certain bites. This unusual condition can cause allergic reactions — sometimes severe — after eating red meat, and it is associated specifically with lone star tick bites.
Important Note: Tick-borne diseases are reportable conditions in New Jersey. If any of these diseases are identified in a patient, they must be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health as part of the state’s disease surveillance system.
High-Risk Areas and Habitats in New Jersey
Ticks are very common in New Jersey. They are found throughout the entire state, hanging on leaves, grass, and other vegetation, waiting for an unsuspecting host to brush up against them. However, their population density can vary substantially from one location to another. Wooded areas, fields, gardens, shrubland, and other grassy areas have the largest concentration of ticks.
According to the CDC, Northeastern states like Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, as well as parts of the Upper Midwest, are often identified as the worst places for ticks in the U.S. New Jersey ranked seventh among all states for tick pressure and risk of tick-borne illness.
New Jersey homeowners are not strangers to wet winters and humid springs. What many may not realize is that this weather combination, mixed with the lush, wooded areas and active wildlife, provides the perfect environment for ticks.
Where Ticks Concentrate Most
- Wooded edges and forest borders: Tick risk in New Jersey depends on which species you’re encountering, what life stage is active, and whether your neighborhood has the edge habitat ticks love. The shaded strip where lawn meets woods is the highest-risk zone on most properties.
- Leaf litter and mulch beds: Ticks can survive by sheltering under leaf litter, mulch beds, groundcover, and protected edges. Leaf litter acts like insulation and keeps ground-level temperatures more stable, while mulch and groundcover hold humidity — and ticks love moisture.
- Tall grass and shrubby areas: The deer tick is found in the shrubby understory of the forest and at the edges between woodland and high grassy areas.
- Trails and hiking paths: Spending time outdoors camping, hunting, hiking, and gardening puts you in the same environment as ticks. Staying in the center of marked trails reduces contact with vegetation where ticks wait for hosts.
- Your own backyard: Approximately 70% of all Lyme disease cases happen at home during outdoor activities. Suburban yards with deer traffic, bird feeders, or adjacent wooded areas can carry significant tick populations.
Certain counties in central and northern New Jersey — including Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, and Hunterdon — have historically reported elevated tick activity. According to the New Jersey Department of Health’s vector-borne disease surveillance report, tick-related emergency room visits statewide have been higher than both the previous year and the five-year average, with the central east region seeing the highest numbers.
Wildlife that carries ticks — including deer, mice, and birds — plays a major role in spreading tick populations across the state. To learn more about natural tick control, explore this guide on animals that eat ticks, which covers predators that help keep tick populations in check.
How to Protect Yourself, Children, and Pets During Tick Season in New Jersey
Prevention is your most powerful tool during tick season. A few consistent habits — applied before, during, and after outdoor time — can dramatically reduce your exposure risk.
Personal Protection
- Cover your skin: When you’re outside, keep your skin covered as much as possible — wear long sleeves and tuck long pants into your socks.
- Wear light-colored clothing: Wearing light-colored clothing can help you see if a tick is on your body before it reaches your skin.
- Use EPA-registered repellents: Use EPA-registered insect repellents and treat clothing, boots, socks, and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
- Stay on trails: Avoid being in potential tick habitats whenever possible. If you’re out hiking, try to remain on the trails. Avoid dense vegetation such as shrubs and bushes, where ticks could be hiding.
- Shower after outdoor activity: Wash clothes worn while in potentially tick-exposed areas in hot water. According to the CDC, showering within two hours of returning home may be a preventative measure against Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, by washing away unattached ticks.
Tick Checks
After time outdoors, look under the arms, on the back, around the ears and waist, in the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, and on the hairline and scalp. These are the warm, hidden areas where ticks prefer to attach. Check for ticks every day during peak season, especially after any outdoor activity.
Pro Tip: Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body after coming indoors. Nymph-stage ticks are roughly the size of a poppy seed — easy to mistake for a speck of dirt — so check carefully.
Yard Management
The New Jersey Department of Health’s “Tick-Proof Your Yard” checklist recommends mowing the lawn regularly, clearing leaf litter, and trimming overgrown shrubs to let in sunlight. Residents are also encouraged to keep woodpiles dry, create gravel or woodchip barriers between lawn and woods, and place play equipment away from tree lines.
Protecting Children
Children are at elevated risk simply because they spend more time playing in grass, leaves, and wooded areas. Children ages 0 to 9 are among the most frequent emergency room patients for tick bites. Dress children in long sleeves and pants during outdoor play, apply child-safe repellents, and make tick checks a part of the after-outdoor routine — especially before bath time.
Protecting Pets
Not only can humans be bitten by ticks and develop tick-related illnesses, but so can pets. Dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Sadly, vaccines are not available for most of the tick-borne diseases that dogs can get.
It is smart to ask your veterinarian which tick prevention products are the best for your dog in your area. These can include medications or sprays that keep fleas and ticks away. Cats, on the other hand, are very sensitive to many chemicals. Before using tick prevention products on your cat, ask your veterinarian if they think it is right for them.
For more detailed guidance on keeping your dog safe during tick season, see these tips for preventing tick-borne diseases in your dog.
Common Mistake: Many pet owners only treat dogs for ticks — not cats. Cats that go outdoors face real tick exposure, and some common tick products safe for dogs can be toxic to cats. Always confirm with your vet before applying any product.
What to Do If You Find a Tick in New Jersey
Finding a tick on yourself, your child, or your pet does not automatically mean you will get sick. Prompt removal is the most important step — the sooner a tick is removed, the lower the risk of disease transmission.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
- Use fine-tipped tweezers. Using fine-tip tweezers, grab the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull straight up. Take care not to jerk or twist the tick, as the tick’s mouthpiece can break off and remain in your skin.
- Do not squeeze or crush it. Do not follow folklore tips such as applying heat to the tick or painting it with nail polish or petroleum jelly. And don’t crush it with your fingers.
- Clean the area. Clean the skin with soap and warm water and safely dispose of the tick.
- Dispose of the tick properly. Put a live tick in alcohol to kill it, then wrap it in plastic and throw it away. You can also flush it down the toilet.
- Save the tick if possible. Placing the tick in a sealed container or zip-lock bag allows for identification later, which can be helpful if symptoms develop.
After Removal: What to Watch For
Seeing and removing a tick early reduces the risk of disease transmission. If you remove a tick before it becomes engorged, medical care might not be necessary unless symptoms arise. If you see an engorged tick, it has likely been on you for 36 or more hours. Remove it and call your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Residents should monitor for rashes or fever over the next several weeks and contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop. Look for the development of a red rash, which may be an early symptom of Lyme disease. Such a rash, called erythema migrans, often starts as a flat or raised red area and slowly expands over several days. It may have a partial central clearing. Be aware that not all infected individuals develop a rash.
Seek medical care if symptoms appear, even if you didn’t notice a tick bite or rash. Your doctor may order bloodwork if a tick-borne illness is suspected and will prescribe treatments if an illness is confirmed.
Important Note: Do not try to remove a tick by burning it, smothering it with petroleum jelly, or using other folk remedies. These methods can cause the tick to release more saliva into the bite, increasing disease risk. Tweezers and steady upward pressure are the only recommended method.
Reporting Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Illness in New Jersey
Reporting tick bites and illnesses is an important part of public health in New Jersey. It helps researchers and health officials track disease trends, monitor emerging tick species, and allocate resources for prevention and education.
When to Contact Your Local Health Department
If any tick-borne disease cases are identified, they must be reported to the New Jersey Department of Health. If you are diagnosed with a tick-borne illness, your healthcare provider is required to report the case. You can also contact your local county health department directly if you have concerns about tick exposure in your area or want guidance after a bite.
Tick Identification Resources in New Jersey
Knowing the tick’s species, life stage, and engorgement level can help you determine your risk of tick-borne disease. You may be able to bring it to your county’s cooperative extension office or mosquito control agency for tick identification. You can also use the online tool from the University of Rhode Island to identify ticks yourself.
Tick monitoring in New Jersey involves collaboration among local health departments, the NJ Department of Health, and academic researchers. Rutgers University’s Center for Vector Biology supports this effort through its NJ Ticks 4 Science! citizen science program. Residents who encounter ticks can mail them in for free identification and disease testing, and the results help researchers track how tick species and tick-borne illnesses are spreading across the state.
Key Reporting Contacts in New Jersey
- NJ Department of Health – Communicable Disease Service: nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml — the official hub for tick-borne disease education, surveillance data, and the “Tick-Proof Your Yard” resources.
- Rutgers Cooperative Extension – NJ Ticks 4 Science: njaes.rutgers.edu/tick — submit ticks for free identification and contribute to statewide surveillance research.
- CDC Tick Bite Bot: An interactive online tool that walks you through tick removal steps and helps you determine whether to seek medical care after a bite.
- Your county cooperative extension office: Ocean County residents, for example, can bring their ticks to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension at 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, for identification. Call 732-349-1246 for more information. Most counties in New Jersey have similar resources available.
Key Insight: The New Jersey Department of Health continues to coordinate many tick-borne disease activities including education, surveillance, and workforce development. Taking advantage of these free public health resources — from tick ID services to the department’s online disease dashboard — keeps you better informed about local risk levels throughout the season.
Tick season in New Jersey is a genuine public health concern, but it is one you can manage with the right information. Knowing when ticks are most active, which species are in your area, and how to respond quickly after a bite puts you in a much stronger position to protect yourself and your family. Make tick checks a habit, take yard management seriously, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local health department or Rutgers extension office if you have questions.
If you enjoy outdoor activities in New Jersey — from hiking to hunting — staying informed about seasonal wildlife activity can help you plan safer outings. You might also find it useful to review dove hunting season in New Jersey for additional seasonal outdoor safety considerations.