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These tick species can be found in New York this summer. How to prevent tick-borne illness
While some may equate tick exposure to deep woods and hiking, that is no longer the case.
New York residents can be exposed "absolutely anywhere," said Cornell Community IPM Extension Support Specialist Joellen Lampman.
"The risk of getting a tick-borne disease is increasing as the years go by," Lampman said. "But, we can absolutely protect ourselves from tick bites if we take the proper precautions."
With that in mind, here's what you need to know about ticks as you spend time outdoors this summer, including precautions, various tick species, and what to do if you find one attached to your body.
There are various tick species throughout the state — black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks and Asian longhorned ticks, according to the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Lampman said Gulf Coast ticks and Asian longhorned ticks are more commonly found in the southeastern region of the state, while the other three species are found all throughout New York.
Black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are most commonly found in shady, humid environments like the forest. American dog ticks survive in warm, dry areas like lawns. Lone Star ticks can be found in various habitats.
That's why it is important to take the necessary precautions against tick exposure even if residents are not doing any deep-wooded hiking, Lampman said.
"Be prepared to encounter ticks," Lampman said, adding that there is no "where" or "when" a person will be completely safe from them.
At this time of year, black-legged ticks would have normally died off, but Lampman said with the recent weather patterns of cooler, more humid weather, these ticks are likely still around and active. Along with that potential threat, American dog ticks will remain very active throughout the summer months.
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Lampman recommends the following precautions be taken when preparing to spend time outdoors:
Wear long clothing to minimize skin exposure.
Wear repellent on exposed skin.
Treat your clothing with permethrin insecticide before spending time outdoors.
Shower immediately after returning inside and conduct a tick check while in the shower.
While ticks can attach to any part of the body, they are more likely to attach to warm, dark, and moist places.
Lampman noted most people are not aware of exactly how small ticks are, which is why attached ticks often go unnoticed, as ticks are normally only the size of a poppy seed.
Another way to prevent getting tick-borne diseases is to protect your pets from ticks as well. Lampman said that people with dogs are twice as likely to get Lyme disease as those without, so she recommends working with your veterinarian to ensure your pets are protected.
While "crawling ticks" are not a cause for concern, Lampman said, ticks attached to your skin are.
If you do find one, she recommends using a pair of pointy tweezers to carefully grab the part of the tick where the mouth enters the skin. It is important that you do not pull from the body of the tick, as that causes the tick stress and to salivate increasingly. Their saliva could introduce your body to even more harmful pathogens.
While some may think sending the tick in to be tested is the next step, Lampman warns against this, as the test results could take too long and it is important that you get treated for any diseases as soon as possible.
Finding a tick on your body is not always cause for a doctor's visit, but Lampman recommends using your own judgment and having conversations with your health care provider to determine next steps.
Resources such as or visiting your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office can also be helpful in determining the tick species.
For more information on tick-borne diseases, tick species and preventative measures, visit
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: These tick species are present in New York. How to minimize risk
