Tick Season on Long Island: Why Fall Is Still Tick Season

Many Long Islanders put away the bug spray after Labor Day. Ticks did not get the message.

Fall is one of the two active seasons for adult deer ticks. If you rake leaves, walk the dog, or let the kids play near the tree line, you are in the right place at the right time to meet one.

When Does Tick Season End on Long Island?

Tick season does not end in summer, and it does not have a fixed end date. According to the New York State Department of Health, adult deer ticks are most active from March to mid-May and again from mid-August to November, with a peak in October and November. Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing.

Life stageSizeMost activeNymphAbout the size of a poppy seedMid-May to mid-AugustAdultAbout the size of a sesame seedMarch to mid-May, and mid-August to November

Why Fall Matters for Deer Ticks

The nymphs you dodged in summer molt into adults, and those adults come out looking for a blood meal. NYS Health notes that adults wait on the tips of grasses and shrubs, about a meter off the ground, and grab onto anything that brushes past.

Both nymphs and adults can spread Lyme disease. Deer ticks can also carry the germs behind anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and other illnesses. In an October 2024 reminder, the State Health Commissioner said ticks stay active into fall and can spread serious disease if they attach. Stony Brook Medicine doctors have said Suffolk County has the state's highest number of babesiosis cases.

Attachment time is one place where guidance differs. The State Health Department says Lyme disease can spread when an infected deer tick stays attached for 24 hours or more. Some other guidance cites 36 to 48 hours. Either way, the safest habit is to check daily and remove ticks quickly.

Where Ticks Hide in a Long Island Yard

Ticks like leaf litter, tall grass, brush, and the edges where lawn meets woods. Nassau and Suffolk backyards often have all of these. The CDC notes that fewer blacklegged ticks are found on well-maintained lawns that are not near brushy or grassy areas.

Fall Yard Checklist

The CDC recommends several landscaping steps that lower tick numbers around your home:

Rake and remove leaf litter, especially along fences, sheds, and the edge of the woods.
Keep the grass mowed through the end of the season.
Clear tall grass and brush at the lawn edge.
Add a 3-foot barrier of wood chips or gravel between the lawn and wooded areas.
Trim tree branches and shrubs to let in sunlight. Ticks are less likely to be found in bright, sunny spots.
Move play sets, decks, and patios away from brushy or wooded edges.
Stack firewood neatly and off the ground. This discourages rodents, which can carry ticks.

Do Yard Treatments Work?

They can help, but they are not a stand-alone fix. A University of Wisconsin study of commercial yard treatments found that one professional application cut nymph numbers by 80 to 90% in the treated zone next to woods, and the effect lasted about 4 weeks. That study took place in Wisconsin, so results on Long Island may differ.

Timing also matters. CDC's earlier yard guidance points to a late spring application to target nymphs, with an optional October application for adult ticks. The best plan combines landscaping, personal protection, and, if you want it, a professional barrier treatment.

At Pestonix, our mosquito and tick control service builds seasonal barriers for yards and outdoor spaces. A technician looks at your property, finds the high-risk edges, and applies treatments according to label directions. Ask us what makes sense for your yard before you book.

Protect Yourself, Your Kids, and Your Pets

Avoid tall grassy, brushy, and wooded areas when you can, as NYS Health advises.
Wear protective clothing and use repellent.
Check your whole body after time outdoors. Check children too.
Check pets daily if they go outside. Dogs can carry ticks into the house.
Remove any attached tick promptly and talk to a health care provider if you have concerns.

Tick Control in Nassau and Suffolk County

Pestonix is based in Melville and serves Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the rest of Long Island. If your yard backs onto woods, has heavy leaf cover, or sees regular deer traffic, it is worth having a professional look at it before winter.

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Schedule a Yard Visit

Ready to lower tick risk around your home? Call 631-560-2166 for Long Island service or 917-913-6062, or request a free quote. You can also see our full seasonal yard protection services.