Fordham Tri-State Tick Risk

Tick Index for May 29, 2026

7 out of 10: HIGH RISK

Tick Index

The Fordham Tick Index is an estimate of the risk of being bitten by a nymphal or adult deer tick in the tri-state area, encompassing southern New York, Connecticut, and northern New Jersey. This index measures risk relative to other times of year.

Both the nymph and adult tick are active at this time of year, although the smaller nymph is responsible for many more cases of Lyme disease. For more information about preventing tick bites, controlling ticks, Lyme disease and other illnesses ticks carry, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Fordham Tick Index is provided as a weekly public service by Fordham University and is based on both current and historical data from the Louis Calder Center, Fordham's Biological Field Station in Westchester County, N.Y. It is an estimate only. Actual risk may vary geographically. Therefore, always take precautions to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

Tick Risk Map

Regional Map for Tick Index including: Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Hudson, Essex

Tick Fact of the Week

The new Lyme disease vaccine (LB6V) being developed by Pfizer and Valneva acts in an unusual way. Rather than fighting the bacteria in the human body, it works by attacking them in the body of the tick itself. The aim is to close the door on the pathogen before it can make its way to a susceptible host. The other four pathogens that blacklegged ticks can transmit, however, can still get through!