Published: April 2026 | Source: New York State Department of Health

Why Tick Safety Matters

Ticks are small creatures that can carry serious diseases. While not every tick bite leads to illness, tick-borne diseases are becoming more common in New York State. Learning how to prevent bites, remove ticks properly, and recognize symptoms can protect you and your family.

Lyme disease is the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in New York. However, ticks can also transmit other serious conditions, including:
- Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS)
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Hard tick relapsing fever
- Powassan encephalitis

Understanding these risks—and how to reduce them—is the first step toward staying healthy outdoors.

Where Ticks Live and How They Find You

Blacklegged ticks, commonly called deer ticks, prefer shady, moist environments at ground level. You are most likely to encounter them:
- In tall grass, brush, and shrubs (usually within 18–24 inches of the ground)
- Along the edges of wooded areas
- In lawns and gardens, especially near stone walls or leaf litter
- On hiking trails, campsites, and hunting grounds

Once a tick attaches to your skin, it typically crawls upward seeking a protected area—such as behind the ears, in the armpits, along the waistline, or in the hair.

How to Prevent Tick Bites

You do not need to avoid the outdoors to stay safe. With the right precautions, you can enjoy gardening, hiking, camping, and other activities while minimizing your risk.

Dress for Protection

Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave—this makes ticks easier to spot
Choose long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and tuck your shirt into your pants
Wear enclosed shoes instead of sandals
Keep long hair tied back, especially when working in gardens or wooded areas

Use Repellents Wisely

Apply EPA-registered insect repellents according to label directions
Use products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
Spray repellent only outdoors; avoid inhaling fumes
Do not apply repellent to cuts, sunburns, rashes, or children's hands
Wash off repellent with soap and water when you return indoors

Practice Smart Outdoor Habits

Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails and walk in the center
Avoid dense woods, bushy areas, and sitting directly on the ground, logs, or stone walls
Check your clothing and exposed skin frequently while outdoors
Bathe or shower within two hours of coming inside to wash off unattached ticks
Perform a full-body tick check at the end of the day—including on children and pets

Treat Clothing and Gear

Consider treating boots, pants, and outdoor gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin
Permethrin can be applied to clothing, tents, and other gear—but not directly to skin
Treated clothing remains protective through several washes

How to Remove a Tick Safely

Removing a tick promptly reduces the risk of disease transmission. Follow these steps:

Use fine-tipped tweezers – Avoid using fingers, matches, petroleum jelly, or nail polish
Grasp the tick close to the skin – Hold it by the head or mouthparts, right where it enters the skin
Pull upward steadily – Apply firm, even pressure without twisting or jerking
Clean the area – Wash the bite site and your hands with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or soap and water
Dispose of the tick – Place it in a small container of rubbing alcohol to kill it, or seal it in a bag before discarding
Save the tick if needed – If you develop symptoms, having the tick available may help with identification and testing

After Removal: What to Watch For

Monitor the bite site for 30 days. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice:
- A rash, especially one that expands and resembles a bull's-eye (a common sign of Lyme disease)
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, fatigue, or muscle/joint aches
- Any unusual or worsening symptoms

When to Call a Doctor After a Tick Bite

Seek medical attention promptly if you develop a rash or flu-like symptoms after a tick bite.

In some cases, your provider may recommend preventive antibiotics. This is typically considered when:
- The bite was from a blacklegged (deer) tick
- The tick was attached for more than 24–36 hours (engorged ticks suggest longer feeding time)
- The bite occurred in an area where Lyme disease is common
- Treatment can begin within 72 hours of tick removal

Antibiotic prevention is not routinely recommended for all tick bites. Discuss your specific situation with a licensed healthcare provider.

Tick-Borne Diseases in New York: What to Know

Lyme Disease

Cause: Bacterial infection from infected blacklegged (deer) ticks
Early symptoms: Expanding "bull's-eye" rash (erythema migrans), fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches
Later symptoms (if untreated): Severe joint pain, neurological problems, heart rhythm issues
Treatment: Antibiotics are highly effective, especially when started early

Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS)

Cause: Allergic reaction triggered by a sugar molecule (alpha-gal) found in mammal meat; associated with bites from lone star ticks
Symptoms: Delayed allergic reactions (3–6 hours after eating) to beef, pork, lamb, or dairy—including hives, swelling, digestive distress, or anaphylaxis
Management: Avoiding mammal-derived foods; carrying epinephrine if prescribed

Anaplasmosis

Cause: Bacterial infection from infected blacklegged ticks
Symptoms: Fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea; may include confusion or rash
Treatment: Antibiotics; early treatment reduces risk of complications

Babesiosis

Cause: Microscopic parasites transmitted by infected blacklegged ticks
Symptoms: Fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, fatigue; can cause hemolytic anemia
Higher risk: Older adults, people without a spleen, or those with weakened immune systems
Treatment: Combination of antimicrobial medications

Ehrlichiosis

Cause: Bacterial infection primarily from lone star ticks
Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue; may include nausea, confusion, or rash
Treatment: Antibiotics; prompt care improves outcomes

Powassan Virus Disease

Cause: Rare viral infection spread by infected ticks
Symptoms: Fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, seizures, or memory loss
Note: Can cause severe neurological illness; no specific treatment exists, so prevention is critical

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Cause: Bacterial infection from American dog ticks (and occasionally other species)
Symptoms: Fever, headache, abdominal pain, muscle aches, followed by a spotted rash (often starting on wrists and ankles)
Treatment: Antibiotics; early diagnosis is essential to prevent serious complications

How New York State Monitors Tick-Borne Disease Risk

The New York State Department of Health actively tracks tick populations and disease risk through:

🔹 Tick Collection: Staff collect ticks from diverse locations across the state
🔹 Laboratory Testing: Ticks are tested for bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause human illness
🔹 Risk Mapping: Data helps identify areas with higher risk of tick-borne disease transmission
🔹 Public Guidance: Findings inform prevention recommendations and healthcare provider alerts

This surveillance system helps protect communities by providing timely, location-specific information.

Protecting Your Pets from Ticks

Pets can bring ticks into your home and are also susceptible to tick-borne illnesses.

Steps to keep pets safe:
- Use veterinarian-approved tick preventives (topical treatments, collars, or oral medications)
- Check your pet daily for ticks, especially after outdoor activities
- Remove ticks promptly using tweezers or a tick removal tool
- Keep yards trimmed and free of leaf litter to reduce tick habitat
- Avoid letting pets roam in wooded or brushy areas

If your pet shows signs of illness—such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, or lameness—contact your veterinarian.

Quick Reference: Tick Prevention Checklist

✅ Wear light-colored, long-sleeved clothing and tuck pants into socks
✅ Apply EPA-registered repellent to exposed skin (follow label directions)
✅ Treat clothing and gear with permethrin for added protection
✅ Stay on trails and avoid tall grass, brush, and leaf litter
✅ Perform tick checks during and after outdoor activities
✅ Shower within two hours of coming indoors
✅ Remove attached ticks promptly and properly
✅ Monitor for symptoms for 30 days after a bite
✅ Keep pets protected with vet-approved preventives
✅ Save removed ticks for potential identification if symptoms develop

Resources for More Information

For New York residents:
- New York State Department of Health Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease page
- Tick-borne Disease Surveillance Report (annual updates)
- New York State Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

National resources:
- CDC Tickborne Diseases of the United States: Reference Manual for Health Care Providers
- CDC Symptoms of Tickborne Illness
- CDC Preventing Ticks on Pets
- TickEncounter Resource Center (tickencounter.org)
- Pets and Parasites (petsandparasites.org)

For healthcare providers:
- Clinical guidance on diagnosis, testing, and treatment of tick-borne diseases
- Reporting protocols for confirmed cases
- Continuing education opportunities through state and federal partners

The Bottom Line

Ticks are a fact of outdoor life in New York—but tick-borne diseases are largely preventable. By dressing wisely, using repellents correctly, checking for ticks promptly, and knowing when to seek care, you can enjoy the outdoors with confidence.

Stay alert, stay protected, and keep your family tick-free.

Content provided by Crestwood General. We share clear, practical health information to help our community stay safe, informed, and healthy.