New Jersey Tick Map: Which Ticks Are Active in Each County (and When)
If you’ve searched “tick map near me” or “what ticks are in my county,” you’re asking the right question — but the answer is more than a dot on a map. Tick risk in New Jersey depends on which tick species are present, what life stage is active (nymph vs adult), and whether your yard and neighborhood have the edge habitat ticks love.
This guide gives you a practical New Jersey tick map you can actually use: a live Rutgers map embed (plus a safe fallback link), a seasonal activity calendar based on NJ tick surveillance guidance, and a county-by-county “what you’ll run into most” cheat sheet. Rutgers’ NJ Ticks 4 Science project was created specifically to track changing tick distribution over time.[1]
Live NJ Tick Map (Rutgers NJ Ticks 4 Science)
This embedded view points to Rutgers’ NJ Ticks 4 Science platform — a citizen-science project designed to map changing tick distribution over time.[1] If the map appears blank, the source site may block embedding, but the buttons below still open the map in a new tab.
Important: A county map shows where ticks are reported — not guaranteed risk at every address. Tick exposure varies within a county based on habitat (wooded edges, brush lines, leaf litter, and shade). Use the map to understand patterns, then focus prevention on your highest-contact zones.
What a Tick “County Map” Can (and Can’t) Tell You
A New Jersey tick map is most useful when you treat it as a decision tool, not a guarantee. It can help you answer questions like “Are people encountering blacklegged ticks in my region?”, “Are lone star ticks showing up more often than last year?”, and “Is tick activity being reported across multiple counties right now?”.
What it cannot do is tell you, with certainty, whether your specific backyard has tick risk today. Ticks respond to microhabitat: shaded leaf litter, brush lines, groundcover beds, fence edges, under-deck pockets, deer corridors, and pet routes. Two homes in the same town can have completely different exposure levels depending on the edges and shade they have.
Best practice: Use a county map to understand the “big picture,” then spend 5 minutes making a micro-map for your own property. That combination is the fastest path to fewer tick encounters.
Where county maps are most helpful
- Species awareness: Which tick species are being reported in your region right now.
- Seasonal timing: When nymph and adult peaks overlap with outdoor life in New Jersey (late spring into summer is a big window).
- Public education: Helping families understand why edges and shade matter more than open lawn.
- Action planning: Knowing which “hot zones” around your home to prioritize first.
Tick Season in NJ: Nymph vs Adult Peaks
To understand “tick season,” think in life stages. Nymphs are small and easy to miss, while adults are larger and easier to spot. New Jersey tick surveillance guidance notes that agencies not receiving state funds should prioritize nymph collections between late May and early July, and it summarizes seasonal peak periods by species and life stage.[3]
Practical NJ calendar (how homeowners should use it)
- Late May to early July: High-vigilance window for quick tick checks after outdoor time, especially for nymphs.[3]
- Spring into early summer: Many families get exposure from yard edges, dog walks, and trail borders.
- Fall into early winter: Adult blacklegged tick activity can remain relevant depending on weather, so awareness still matters.[3]
| Tick species | What NJ surveillance guidance emphasizes | Why it matters to homeowners |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged tick (deer tick) Ixodes scapularis | One of the two species of greatest public health importance in New Jersey; nymph collections prioritized late May–early July.[3] | Nymphs are tiny; build a simple “after outdoors” tick-check routine during peak season. |
| Lone star tick Amblyomma americanum | Also a species of greatest public health importance; seasonality and distribution are changing over time.[3] | Commonly discussed in southern and coastal New Jersey and expanding northward beyond older boundaries.[2] |
| American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis | Considered a vector elsewhere, but New Jersey testing has not detected human tickborne pathogens in this species; not prioritized for testing starting in 2025.[3] | Often encountered on trails and grassy edges; larger and easier to spot than nymphal deer ticks. |
| Longhorned tick Haemaphysalis longicornis | Present throughout the state and not currently considered a primary human health concern in New Jersey.[3] | More relevant for animals and agriculture; its presence underscores the need for ongoing statewide surveillance. |
County Guide: What Ticks Are Most Active in What Counties?
A county-by-county tick “winner” chart is not stable enough to treat as fixed for every year. What stays consistent is: (1) which ticks are central to New Jersey public health planning, (2) which ticks are linked to certain habitats, and (3) what Rutgers and state extension materials say about distribution patterns, especially for lone star ticks.[1][2][3]
How to use the county section: Treat it as a “most likely” guide and then confirm your county using the embedded Rutgers map. That gives you practical guidance plus current signals for your location.
Statewide baseline (all counties)
New Jersey tick surveillance guidance identifies blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks as the two species of greatest public health importance in the state.[3] Every county should assume baseline exposure risk in suitable habitat, especially along edges, leaf litter, and brush lines.
Where lone star tick pressure is most discussed
Rutgers Extension notes that in New Jersey the lone star tick is found mostly in the southern part of the state and along the Atlantic coast, and it has been detected north of Monmouth County, which used to be considered the upper boundary of its range.[2] If you’re in Shore counties or South Jersey, lone star tick conversations tend to be louder — and the trend line is expanding.
County cheat sheet (use with the live map)
Below is a county list organized by region. The “most likely” notes are based on habitat patterns and Rutgers/New Jersey guidance: blacklegged tick risk is statewide, while lone star tick pressure is most associated with southern and coastal New Jersey and continues to expand northward.[2][3]
| Region | Counties | What ticks you’ll hear about most | Most important action |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Jersey woods • ridges • suburbs | Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, Morris, Essex, Hudson, Union, Warren | Blacklegged tick (deer tick) baseline in suitable habitat; check current reports via Rutgers’ NJ Ticks 4 Science map.[1][3] | Edge control plus tick checks after outdoor time, especially from late May through early July.[3] |
| Central Jersey mixed woods • neighborhoods | Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, Monmouth | Blacklegged tick baseline; increasing attention to lone star tick expansion north of historical boundaries — confirm current patterns with the live map.[1][2] | Micro-map your yard edges and dog routes; address leaf litter and brush lines first. |
| Shore / Coastal coastal scrub • dunes • edges | Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May | Lone star ticks are strongly associated with southern and coastal New Jersey and can outnumber blacklegged ticks where established; blacklegged ticks remain relevant statewide.[2][3] | Avoid brushy trail edges and keep yard perimeters more open, sunny, and dry when possible. |
| South Jersey pine • farms • edges | Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland | Lone star ticks are mostly found in southern New Jersey and along the Atlantic coast; blacklegged tick baseline is statewide. Use the live map to see current submissions in your county.[1][2] | Focus on perimeter habitat and daily exposure routes for pets, play zones, and trails. |
To “zoom in” by county, start with the embedded Rutgers map, then use the micro-map section below to turn that information into fewer bites on your property.
The 4 Ticks NJ Homeowners Encounter Most (Quick ID)
For homeowners, the biggest win is knowing the “big four.” New Jersey surveillance guidance emphasizes blacklegged and lone star ticks as most important for public health, but homeowners also frequently encounter American dog ticks, and pet owners may deal with brown dog ticks when exposure keeps repeating on dogs or around kennels.[3]
1) Blacklegged tick (deer tick)
The tick most commonly associated with Lyme disease conversations in New Jersey. Small nymphs can be very easy to miss, which is why late May–early July is a critical window for careful tick checks after outdoor time.[3]
Learn more: Blacklegged Tick (NJ)
2) Lone star tick
Rutgers notes that lone star ticks are mostly found in southern New Jersey and along the Atlantic coast and have now been detected north of Monmouth County.[2] If you’re in Shore or South Jersey counties, you’re more likely to hear about lone star tick exposure on trails, in brushy edges, and around wooded borders.
Learn more: Lone Star Tick (NJ)
3) American dog tick
Larger and more visible, this species is often discussed around grassy edges and trails. New Jersey surveillance guidance notes that while it is a vector elsewhere, state tick testing has not detected human tickborne pathogens in American dog ticks and it is not prioritized for testing starting in 2025.[3]
Learn more: American Dog Tick (NJ)
4) Brown dog tick
Often a pet-owner issue, the brown dog tick can be associated with repeated dog exposure and, in some cases, indoor or kennel environments. If you see repeated ticks on a dog, treat it as a “pet plus environment” problem using veterinary guidance, not just a yard problem.
Learn more: Brown Dog Tick (NJ)
Make Your Own “Micro Map” (This Is the One That Changes Everything)
Most tick encounters do not come from the middle of a sunny lawn. They come from edge zones: where lawn meets woods, brush, shrubs, fences, and leaf litter. Instead of trying to “treat everything,” create a micro-map that targets the places your family and pets actually touch every day.
5-minute micro-map exercise
- Step 1: Sketch your yard and mark where lawn meets woods, brush, fence lines, or dense landscaping.
- Step 2: Circle shade and leaf litter zones (under shrubs, groundcover, under decks, behind sheds).
- Step 3: Mark daily routes: dog paths, kids’ cut-throughs, gate lines, seating areas, and play zones.
- Step 4: Pick 2–3 changes: leaf litter removal at borders, brush trimming, and moving play or seating away from edge zones.
- Step 5: Add a habit: tick checks after outdoor time, especially from late May through early July.[3]
What happens next: When you reduce edge habitat and keep daily life out of the edge line, tick encounters drop. That’s the “map” that matters most for your family.
Prevention That Actually Lowers Exposure
Prevention is a stack of small moves that work together: reduce habitat, reduce contact, and catch ticks early. New Jersey Department of Health tick-borne disease guidance emphasizes practical steps such as tick checks after being outdoors, staying in the center of trails, and keeping yards clean by mowing and removing leaf litter, especially along edges.[4]
The “no-fluff” NJ tick prevention list
- Tick checks: Build a quick routine after outdoor time (waistline, scalp, behind knees, socks and ankles).
- Trail behavior: Walk in the center of trails and avoid brushing against tall vegetation.[4]
- Yard maintenance: Mow regularly, clear brush, and remove leaf litter — especially at borders and under shrubs.[4]
- Dogs: Limit dog access to shrub edges when possible; check ears, collar line, belly, and paws after walks.
- Targeted yard treatment: Focus on brush lines, shaded beds, and perimeter zones where ticks actually live.
FAQ
Can you really tell tick “activity” by county?
You can describe patterns by region and habitat, but precise county “rankings” shift over time. The best approach is a live map plus a micro-map: confirm current reports via Rutgers submissions, then focus prevention on your yard edges and daily routes.[1]
Which tick should New Jersey residents worry about most?
State surveillance guidance identifies blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks as the two species of greatest public health importance in New Jersey.[3]
When should I be most careful?
New Jersey guidance notes that nymph collections should be prioritized between late May and early July, when nymphal activity peaks and ticks are easiest to miss due to their small size.[3]
Does every yard in a “high” county have the same tick risk?
No. County maps show where ticks are reported, not the risk at every address. Actual exposure depends on your specific habitat: edges, shade, leaf litter, deer corridors, and pet routes.
How often should I update my understanding of local tick patterns?
Checking the Rutgers NJ Ticks 4 Science map a few times each season can help you see new patterns or expansion, especially for lone star ticks in central and northern counties.[1][2]