Tick Season on Long Island
Unlike mosquitoes, ticks don't have a clean “season.” On Long Island, deer ticks can be active nearly any time temperatures exceed 40°F — which can mean tick risk in any month of the year.
The Tick Season Misconception
Many Long Island homeowners think tick risk ends in September when school starts, or begins in summer when mosquitoes become a nuisance. Both assumptions can lead to preventable tick bites. The truth is that tick activity on Long Island is more complex and longer than most people realize.
Blacklegged (deer) ticks are active year-round above 40°F. In mild Long Island winters — where temperatures frequently climb above 40°F even in January — adult deer ticks can be questing on leaf litter. The spring nymph season (May–June) and the fall adult season (September–October) are the two highest-risk windows and are the periods when most Lyme disease transmission occurs.
Month-by-Month Activity Guide
| Period | Deer Tick | Lone Star | Dog Tick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–February | low | dormant | dormant |
| March–April | moderate | low | low |
| May–June | high | moderate | moderate |
| July–August | moderate | high | high |
| September–October | high | moderate | low |
| November–December | low | dormant | dormant |
Activity levels are estimates based on typical Long Island seasonal patterns. Actual conditions vary by location, microclimate, and current weather.
The Two Critical Windows
May–June: Nymph Season
Deer tick nymphs are tiny — the size of a poppy seed — and are responsible for most Lyme disease cases on Long Island. They emerge May through June and are nearly invisible. A nymph tick can feed undetected for the 36–48 hours needed to potentially transmit Lyme disease.
September–October: Adult Fall Peak
Adult deer ticks reach a second peak in fall. They are larger and more visible than nymphs, but many homeowners have stopped treatment after summer, leaving yards unprotected during this active period. Fall treatments are an important part of comprehensive tick control.
Get a Free Estimate from Pestify Pest Control
Seasonal tick barrier treatments for Long Island homeowners — Suffolk and Nassau County.
When to Schedule Tick Treatment
Start of season treatment
Early MarchTarget adult deer tick activity before nymph season begins.
Pre-nymph season treatment
Late April–MayCritical application before the May–June nymph peak.
Mid-season follow-up
June–JulyMaintain protection through summer. Lone star tick season peaks.
Fall treatment
SeptemberTarget adult deer tick fall peak before activity declines.
Late season application
November (mild years)Optional final treatment on properties with heavy deer traffic.
Protect Your Yard, Pets & Family This Season
Pestify Pest Control can schedule your first treatment early in the season for maximum protection. Request a free estimate today — no obligation.