Tick-borne diseases are becoming a growing concern in New York City, with cases rising sharply over the past 25 years. According to preliminary data from the New York City Health Department, there were 2,952 reported Lyme disease cases among city residents in 2024.
The main culprit behind this increase is climate change, which has led to warmer temperatures and extended tick season. Other factors contributing to the rise include an expansion of deer populations in the northeast region.
To protect yourself from ticks, City Limits recommends using Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, and applying them to clothing and shoes rather than skin. Wearing light-colored clothes can also help detect ticks more easily.
When outdoors, it’s essential to follow a few key precautions: stick to clearly marked trails, avoid touching foliage, and be aware that ticks can be present in short grass. Regularly checking yourself, children, and pets for ticks is also crucial.
Homeowners with yards should trim shrubs, keep grass short, and remove piles of brush or leaves to reduce tick habitats. If a tick is found, it’s recommended to send it to a laboratory for testing.
By taking these simple steps, New Yorkers can significantly reduce their risk of contracting tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Source: https://citylimits.org/tick-populations-are-growing-heres-how-to-stay-protected