Ticks are common across New Jersey’s diverse landscapes, but many people mistakenly believe they are only a problem during the summer. Tick activity in the state is a complex, multi-season phenomenon that demands year-round vigilance. Understanding which species are present and when they pose the greatest threat is the first step in effective personal protection.
Defining the Year-Round Threat in New Jersey
Tick activity in New Jersey is largely dependent on ambient temperatures, not the calendar date. The primary limiting factor for tick movement is whether the ground is frozen. Ticks, especially the adult Blacklegged Tick, can become active any time the temperature rises above freezing, often questing for a host even during mid-winter thaws. While the threat exists year-round, the standard “tick season” when human exposure is highest runs from April through the start of fall. This period corresponds to increased outdoor activity and the peak emergence of various tick life stages.
Identifying New Jersey’s Primary Tick Species
Three species are primarily responsible for transmitting disease in New Jersey: the Blacklegged Tick, the American Dog Tick, and the Lone Star Tick.
Blacklegged Tick
The Blacklegged Tick, also known as the deer tick, is small. Females are identifiable by their tear-drop shape, reddish-orange abdomen, and solid black dorsal shield. This species is typically found in wooded areas and along forest edges, waiting on low vegetation for a host.
American Dog Tick
The American Dog Tick is noticeably larger. Females feature a tan and white plate behind the head (scutum), and males display white markings over their entire body. These ticks are often encountered in grassy fields, along trails, and in suburban areas.
Lone Star Tick
The Lone Star Tick is easily recognized by the female’s unique feature: a single, prominent white spot on her back. Lone Star Ticks are aggressive, actively traveling to find a host, and are increasingly common across the state.
Life Stage Activity and Peak Infection Risk
The Blacklegged Tick has a two-year life cycle, with different stages active throughout the year. Adult Blacklegged Ticks are active during the cooler months, primarily from October through April, feeding when temperatures rise above freezing. Larvae hatch in the summer and are active from August through October, seeking their first blood meal.
The greatest risk for human infection is linked to the nymph stage, which is active from late spring through mid-summer, generally peaking between May and July. These nymphs are roughly the size of a poppy seed, making them difficult to spot and remove. The nymphal stage is linked to the majority of Lyme disease cases due to their small size and the high rate of human outdoor activity during these months.
Understanding Localized Disease Risks
Tick species in New Jersey are vectors for several localized diseases, with the specific risk depending on the tick encountered.
Blacklegged Tick Diseases
This tick is the vector for Lyme disease, the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the state, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. It can also transmit pathogens causing babesiosis and anaplasmosis.
Lone Star Tick Diseases
The Lone Star Tick is associated with ehrlichiosis, a bacterial infection causing flu-like symptoms. This species is also linked to Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) and Alpha-gal syndrome, which can trigger an allergy to red meat.
American Dog Tick Diseases
The American Dog Tick is the primary vector for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the region.