Fordham Tick Index

The Weekend Deer Tick Index

November 22-24, 2024

3 out of 10

The Fordham Tick Index is an estimate of the risk of being bitten by a nymphal or adult deer tick. Both of these stages are active at this time of year, although the smaller nymph is responsible for many more cases of Lyme disease. This index measures risk relative to other times of year. For more information about preventing tick bites, controlling ticks, Lyme disease and other illnesses ticks carry, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Fordham Tick Index is provided as a weekly public service by Fordham University and is based on both current and historical data from one site in Westchester County, N.Y. It is an estimate only. Actual risk may vary geographically. Therefore, always take precautions to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

Tick Fact of the Week

Amblyomma rotundatum, a hard tick that prefers feeding on reptiles and amphibians, was recently found on several cane toads in Hawaii. The introduction of a tick species that hadn’t been in Hawaii previously represents a reunion of sorts: two invasive species native to South America, a toad and its parasitic tick, are again together after 80 years apart. 

For further information, contact Thomas Daniels.