New York's Tick Season Expected to Be the Worst Yet in 2026
Experts are warning that New York's tick season in 2026 could be among the worst on record. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emergency room visits for tick bites are exceeding historical averages across most U.S. regions, with the Northeast experiencing the highest levels. During late April, approximately 114 out of every 100,000 ER visits nationwide were related to tick bites, marking the highest rate for this time of year since at least 2017. Factors contributing to this surge include a mild winter, which allowed more ticks to survive, and the 'acorn effect,' where increased acorn production boosts populations of tick-hosting wildlife such as deer and mice. New York has seen a significant rise in tick activity, with nearly 19,000 Lyme disease cases reported in 2024 alone. The state is also observing an increase in species like lone star ticks and dog ticks, alongside the prevalent deer ticks.