Fordham Tri-State Tick Risk

Tick Index for October 9, 2026

4 out of 10: MODERATE

Tick Index

Tick Fact of the Week

Headline this week: “Ticks force outdoor restrictions at Kings Park Middle School” on Long Island, New York. Despite mowing and chemical use, fields are off limits until further notice and the school called for “blacktop only” recess and physical education activities. While the tick species wasn’t identified, they’re likely Lone Star ticks, a growing problem in the region.

About the Fordham 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