Ticks are a growing problem across New Jersey, especially in spring and summer.
From Monmouth, Middlesex, and Mercer to Ocean and surrounding counties, our goal is
to help you quickly identify local tick species, understand the diseases they can carry,
and protect your family using all-natural tick control.
Ticks are tiny arachnids (related to spiders and mites) that thrive in
New Jersey’s woods, fields, brush lines, and even well-kept backyards. A single bite
can transmit serious illnesses like Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and
more. Because nymph-stage ticks are often no bigger than a poppy seed, many people never
realize they’ve been bitten.
Knowing how to identify the main tick species found in NJ is the first step
in protecting your family, pets, and yard. The next step is combining smart personal
protection with a consistent, all-natural tick control program around your home.
Common Ticks Found in New Jersey (& How to Spot Them)
Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick)
• Ixodes scapularis
The blacklegged tick is the primary vector of
Lyme disease in New Jersey, as well as Anaplasmosis,
Babesiosis, and Powassan virus. Adults are about the size of a sesame seed.
Females have a dark head and legs with a reddish-orange abdomen;
males appear darker overall.
Learn more about the blacklegged / deer tick in NJ.
American Dog Tick
• Dermacentor variabilis
The American dog tick is commonly found in grassy, open areas and
along trails. It can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and
Tularemia. Adults are larger than deer ticks, brown with distinct
white or tan markings on the back.
See details on the American dog tick in New Jersey.
Lone Star Tick
• Amblyomma americanum
The lone star tick is expanding its range into more parts of
New Jersey. It can transmit Ehrlichiosis and has been associated with
alpha-gal syndrome (red meat allergy). Females are identified by
a single white “lone star” spot on the back.
Learn more on the lone star tick in NJ page.
Brown Dog Tick
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus
The brown dog tick is most often found on dogs and can live
indoors, in kennels, or around dog runs. Adults are reddish-brown and about
the size of a watermelon seed. They can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever
and other illnesses to pets and humans.
See our brown dog tick in NJ identification guide.
Everyday habits matter as much as professional tick control. Combining smart personal
protection with plant-based treatments around your property gives you
the best chance of avoiding bites and tick-borne disease.
- Use essential-oil repellents: Products made with cedarwood,
lemongrass, peppermint and other plant oils can help repel ticks when used as directed. - Clean up tick habitat: Mow regularly, remove leaf litter, trim brush
along fence lines, and keep play sets and seating areas away from wooded edges. - Wear protective clothing: When hiking or working in the yard, wear
long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored fabrics so ticks are easier to spot.
Perform full tick checks after being outdoors. - Target mice & wildlife corridors: Use tick tubes and reduce
clutter where rodents and wildlife travel — these animals carry ticks into New Jersey
backyards. - Schedule professional all-natural tick control:
Bite Back Tick & Mosquito Control
uses EPA Section 25(b) minimum-risk, plant-based formulas to treat brush lines,
shaded turf, and high-risk zones around your home.
Get My All-Natural Tick Quote
Visit our full guide:
How to Identify New Jersey Ticks
.