Experts Are Warning This Could Be The Worst Tick Season Ever In New York<\/p>\n
This past winter’s heavy snowfall actually helped ticks. All that snow acted as insulation, allowing tick populations to survive in higher numbers than usual.<\/p>\n
For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing, make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook,<\/a>\u00a0and download the\u00a0Hudson Valley Post Mobile App <\/a><\/p>\n That early warm weather New Yorkers have been enjoying is also working against us.<\/p>\n An early spring with rising temperatures woke up ticks ahead of schedule. The result is more ticks, active earlier, with a longer window to find a host.<\/p>\n In the Northeast, tick populations have reportedly jumped by approximately 25 percent compared to last year, experts say.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Why It’s Getting Worse Every Year<\/p>\n This isn’t just a 2026 problem. Warmer, shorter winters are creating ideal conditions for ticks to expand into new areas and stay active longer.<\/p>\n Here’s something most people don’t think about. A big acorn crop in previous years led to a surge in mouse populations.<\/p>\n Mice are one of the primary hosts that ticks use to spread. More mice mean more ticks.<\/p>\n How To Protect Yourself<\/p>\n Health experts have a few simple recommendations.<\/p>\n Before you head outside, use an EPA-registered repellent with DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535. Wear permethrin-treated clothing if you can, and tuck your pants into your socks. It looks goofy. It works.<\/p>\n When you come back inside, shower within two hours and do a full body check. Pay close attention to the hairline, armpits, and behind the knees. Those are the spots ticks love to hide.<\/p>\n In your yard, keep the grass mowed short, clear out leaf litter, and consider putting down a three-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and any wooded areas. It actually helps restrict tick movement.<\/p>\n Don’t forget your pets. Check them daily and talk to your vet about tick prevention treatments.<\/p>\n 10 Hotpots For Tick Bites In New York StateTop 10 Regions To Get A Tick Bite In New York Based on data from the New York State Department of Health<\/a>, these are the regions where you are most likely to get bit by a tick.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Karolyi <\/a><\/p>\n Top 10 Regions To Get A Tick Bite In New YorkTop 10 Regions To Get A Tick Bite In New York Based on data from the New York State Department of Health<\/a>, these are the regions where you are most likely to get bit by a tick.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Karolyi <\/a><\/p>\n![\"Follow](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1764005171_799_attachment-No3_nextdoorpromo_newsletter.jpg\")
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