If you live or work in the Hudson Valley, you are in one of the highest-risk regions in the state for tick-borne illnesses. The New York State Department of Health has long identified this area, along with the Catskills and Capital–Saratoga regions, as places with consistently high tick activity. Now, 2025 is shaping up to be a record-setting year for ticks across the Northeast.

Recent data from SUNY Upstate Medical University confirms that tick encounters have doubled compared to this same time last year. More than 30% of ticks tested carried at least one disease-causing pathogen, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis.

What is driving the spike? Warmer winters and longer stretches of mild weather allow ticks to stay active for more of the year. Expanding deer populations also make it easier for ticks to thrive in both wooded areas and residential neighborhoods. That means exposure is not limited to hiking trails anymore. It can happen right in your backyard.

This year, health officials are urging everyone to be extra vigilant. Nymph-stage ticks, which are about the size of a poppy seed, are responsible for most Lyme disease cases. They are so small they often go unnoticed, making daily checks critical.

Even short walks, time spent in the garden, or letting pets outside can lead to an encounter. Awareness and preparation such as wearing protective clothing, using repellent, and doing tick checks are your best defense against illness. The earlier you find and remove a tick, the lower the risk of infection.

Ticks are not just a seasonal nuisance anymore. With longer and stronger tick seasons, staying informed and consistent about prevention is the best way to protect yourself and the people in your care.