Ticks Found on Long Island, NY: Identification + Prevention Guide for Suffolk & Nassau
If you’re searching for ticks found on Long Island NY, you’re not alone. Long Island’s mix of coastal humidity, shaded neighborhoods, wooded edges, and trail systems creates ideal conditions for ticks — especially across Suffolk County and many parts of Nassau County.
This guide is built for real homeowners (and real dog walks): which ticks you’re most likely to encounter on Long Island, what illnesses public health agencies track in New York, where ticks hide (even in “nice yards”), and a simple, practical prevention plan you can use all season.
Quick takeaway: On Long Island, ticks concentrate in edges — wooded borders, leaf litter, trail-side vegetation, and dense landscaping. If you want fewer ticks, focus on the edges first.
Why Long Island Gets So Many Ticks
Long Island has a unique mix of conditions that ticks love: humid coastal air, shade from mature trees, wooded preserve trails, deer and rodent activity, and neighborhoods where lawns blend into natural edges. You don’t need to live deep in the woods to have ticks — all it takes is a few connected “hot zones”: leaf litter under shrubs, brushy fence lines, or a trail edge your dog brushes on every walk.
The pattern is especially strong in communities with greenbelts, preserve access, or yards that back to woods. If you’ve ever found a tick after a “quick” outside moment, that’s the edge effect in action: ticks wait where hosts pass — and hosts pass where people like to walk.
Reality check: Most tick encounters happen in transition areas (woods-to-lawn, brush-to-path), not in the middle of a sunny, open lawn.
Tick-Borne Diseases Tracked in New York
New York State public health resources list several tick-borne diseases of concern statewide, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Powassan virus. Knowing this list matters because it explains why identification and prevention get so much attention on Long Island.
Different ticks are associated with different pathogens. For example, Suffolk County’s tick information page specifically notes that blacklegged (deer) ticks can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, and Powassan virus disease — which is one reason deer tick education is a big focus locally.
Common Ticks Found on Long Island, NY
New York State health resources often highlight three major ticks statewide: blacklegged (deer) ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks. On Long Island, those are the “big three” homeowners hear about most. In addition, agencies monitor the Asian longhorned tick in New York, which has been detected in the state.
| Tick | Scientific name | What it’s known for | Common Long Island hot zones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacklegged (Deer) Tick | Ixodes scapularis | Tiny nymphs; strongly linked to Lyme disease in NY. | Leaf litter, shaded edges, wooded borders, under shrubs. |
| American Dog Tick | Dermacentor variabilis | Larger; common along trails and brushy edges. | Grassy edges, paths, trail borders, fields. |
| Lone Star Tick | Amblyomma americanum | Aggressive biter; expanding regionally; alpha-gal discussions. | Brushy edges, wooded transition zones, overgrown borders. |
| Asian Longhorned Tick | Haemaphysalis longicornis | Invasive; being monitored; appears less attracted to humans than some native ticks. | Varies; more often reported on animals than on people. |
Where Ticks Hide on Long Island (and Why “Nice Yards” Still Get Ticks)
Ticks thrive where they can stay cool, shaded, and humid. That’s why even manicured properties can still have tick activity — especially where your lawn meets natural cover. Long Island doesn’t need “messy yards” to produce ticks; it needs edges.
- Wooded edges & property lines (the #1 “tick highway” into the yard)
- Leaf litter under shrubs, hedges, and trees
- Ornamental plant beds and groundcover (thick, shaded pockets)
- Stone walls, brush piles, and wood stacks (also attract rodents)
- Trail-side vegetation (ticks quest on tips of grass/brush and grab passing hosts)
Hot-zone mindset: Your “living area outside” (patio, playset, grilling area) should be sunny/open. Your “wild edge” can exist — just don’t put your daily life inside it.
Why Suffolk County Tick Risk Gets So Much Attention
Suffolk County maintains tick education and surveillance efforts and calls out multiple diseases of concern, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan virus. Suffolk County also describes a tick surveillance program collecting ticks across townships and analyzing them for pathogens. The practical takeaway: this is a known, ongoing public health focus — not a “new fad.”
Blacklegged (Deer) Tick
The blacklegged deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the tick most associated with Lyme disease in New York and the Northeast. It’s often hard to spot — especially nymphs — and commonly picked up in shaded, brushy, or leaf-litter areas.
Why nymphs matter
Nymphs are tiny and easy to miss. That’s one reason many infections occur: people don’t notice a tick until after it has been attached. This is also why tick checks after yard time and trail time are so important on Long Island.
Suffolk County notes blacklegged ticks can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Borrelia miyamotoi disease, and Powassan virus disease.
Lone Star Tick
The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is expanding in many areas and is frequently discussed on Long Island. Adult females often have a distinctive single white dot (“lone star”) on their back. Lone star ticks are associated with ehrlichiosis and are also linked in public health discussions to alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy) in some cases.
American Dog Tick
The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is larger than deer ticks and is often encountered along grassy edges and brushy areas. CDC resources list the American dog tick among species that spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and CDC tularemia guidance also notes it can transmit tularemia.
Asian Longhorned Tick (What Long Island Homeowners Should Know)
The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) is an invasive tick that has been detected in New York. New York State issued a public announcement in 2018 about the longhorned tick being found in the state, and agencies continue monitoring it.
The CDC notes an important point for homeowners: compared with well-known native ticks (blacklegged, lone star, American dog tick), the Asian longhorned tick appears to be less attracted to humans. That said, it can still be found on animals, and researchers continue studying its role in pathogen spread in the U.S.
Practical advice: If you find an unfamiliar tick, don’t guess. Take a clear photo, save the tick in a sealed container, and use public health resources or a professional to identify it.
How Ticks Find Their Hosts (Why Trails Matter)
Ticks locate hosts through a behavior called questing — they climb vegetation and extend their front legs to latch onto people or pets brushing by. This is one reason you can pick up ticks on “quick” walks: you don’t need to go off-trail. If your legs brush tall grass at the edge, you’re in the quest zone.
Long Island tip: stay centered on trails, avoid brushing tall grass/brush, and always do a tick check after outdoor time.
How Ticks Spread Disease
Ticks transmit pathogens during feeding. Some illnesses are more likely the longer a tick remains attached, which is why quick detection and removal matters. New York health authorities provide tick prevention and removal guidance statewide, including safe removal steps and when to seek medical advice.
Key point: The “best” time to act is the moment you come inside — quick tick checks on kids and pets can prevent a long attachment time.
Preventing Ticks in the Yard (Long Island Checklist)
Yard prevention works because it changes the conditions ticks rely on: shade, humidity, shelter, and wildlife routes. The goal is not to erase nature — it’s to make your high-use zones less tick-friendly.
Long Island yard checklist
- Remove leaf litter (especially along fences, woods lines, and under shrubs).
- Clear tall grasses and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.
- Create a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawn and wooded areas to reduce migration into play spaces.
- Mow frequently during peak season.
- Stack wood neatly and keep it dry (discourages rodents).
- Keep patios, decks, and play sets away from yard edges and dense landscaping.
- Discourage deer and other wildlife with fencing where appropriate.
- Remove old furniture, debris, and clutter — ticks and rodents love hidden, undisturbed spots.
What to Do If You Find a Tick on You or Your Pet
If you find a tick, don’t panic. The goal is safe removal and smart monitoring.
- Use fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick close to the skin.
- Pull upward with steady pressure (don’t twist).
- Wash the bite area and hands with soap/water or rubbing alcohol.
- Monitor for symptoms and contact a healthcare professional if you develop fever, rash, unusual fatigue, or joint pain.
- For pets, call your veterinarian if your pet becomes lethargic, feverish, limps, or seems “off.”
Read more: How to Remove a Tick Safely.
Long Island Tick Prevention: The “3 Layer” Approach
The most reliable tick plan is layered. One layer helps, three layers change your season.
| Layer | What it is | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Personal protection | Reduce bites during outdoor activity. | Protective clothing, repellent, stay centered on trails, tick checks. |
| Layer 2: Pet protection | Reduce ticks on dogs/cats and catch ticks early. | Veterinarian-recommended preventatives, routine checks after walks. |
| Layer 3: Yard protection | Reduce tick habitat and contact zones around the home. | Leaf litter cleanup, brush trimming, 3-foot barrier, targeted treatments in hot zones. |
Need Help With Tick Control on Long Island, NY?
Bite Back Tick & Mosquito Control is expanding into Long Island, NY. If you want updates on our all-natural, plant-based tick & mosquito program for Nassau and Suffolk, contact us and we’ll keep you posted.
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FAQ
What ticks are most common on Long Island?
The “big three” you’ll hear about most are blacklegged (deer) ticks, American dog ticks, and lone star ticks. Agencies also monitor the Asian longhorned tick in New York.
Why are deer ticks such a big deal on Long Island?
Deer ticks are strongly associated with Lyme disease in New York, and local resources in Suffolk County also list additional pathogens of concern. Nymph deer ticks are very small, making them easier to miss.
Where should I focus yard prevention first?
Start with the edges: leaf litter, brushy borders, fence lines, under shrubs, and woods-to-lawn transitions. That’s where ticks most often enter “living space” yards.
What should I do if I find a tick?
Remove it with fine-tipped tweezers using steady upward pressure, clean the area, and monitor for symptoms. Use your healthcare provider or veterinarian if symptoms develop.