If you’re spending more time outside as the weather warms up, you’re not alone—and neither are ticks. Across New Jersey, tick populations are active and capable of spreading several serious diseases, making awareness and prevention more important than ever.
At Rich Green Lawns, we believe a healthy lawn should also be a safe one. Here’s what you need to know about ticks and how to protect your property and your family.
The Most Common Ticks in New Jersey
According to Rutgers experts, there are three primary tick species in New Jersey that commonly spread disease:
- Blacklegged tick (deer tick)
- Lone star tick
- American dog tick
Each of these species can carry different pathogens, and all three are commonly found in residential areas, especially where lawns meet wooded or overgrown spaces.
Why Ticks Are a Bigger Concern Than You Think
Ticks aren’t just a nuisance—they’re a real health risk. In New Jersey, they are known to transmit diseases such as:
- Lyme disease (the most common)
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis
- Ehrlichiosis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Powassan virus
Even more concerning? Once a tick becomes infected, it can carry and transmit disease throughout its entire life cycle.
Where Ticks Live on Your Property
Ticks don’t randomly appear—they thrive in very specific environments. Around your home, they are most commonly found in:
- Tall grass and overgrown lawns
- Landscape beds and groundcover
- Wood lines and shaded areas
- Leaf litter and debris piles
Ticks don’t jump or fly—they “quest,” meaning they wait on vegetation and latch onto people or pets as they pass by.
When Are Ticks Active?
Many homeowners think ticks are only a summer problem, but that’s not the case.
- Some species are active in early spring through fall
- Others, like the blacklegged tick, can remain active even during mild winter days
In reality, tick season in New Jersey can last much longer than expected—sometimes year-round under the right conditions.
How to Reduce Tick Activity in Your Yard
The good news? There are effective ways to make your property less attractive to ticks.
Simple steps you can take:
- Keep your lawn properly mowed
- Trim back overgrown edges and shrubs
- Remove leaf litter and yard debris
- Create a barrier between lawn and wooded areas
- Regularly check pets and family members after being outdoors
These small changes can make a big difference in reducing tick habitat.
Professional Tick Control: Your Best Defense
While maintenance helps, ticks are persistent—and that’s where professional treatments come in.
Targeted applications can:
- Treat high-risk areas like lawn edges and beds
- Reduce tick populations at all life stages
- Provide ongoing protection throughout peak seasons
A proactive approach is key, especially in areas like New Jersey where tick populations are well established.
Protect Your Lawn—and Your Family
Ticks are a growing concern across our region, but with the right knowledge and prevention plan, you can significantly reduce the risk.
At Rich Green Lawns, we don’t just care about how your lawn looks—we care about how it feels to live on it.
If you’re noticing more ticks or want to get ahead of the problem, now is the time to act.
FREE TICK IDENTIFICATION
Bring your ticks to the Agricultural Canter M-F between 9AM and 3PM for identification.
Do not put the tick on tape, ticks should bE in a sealed container / plastic bag with a small piece of moist towel.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County (Ag Center)
1623 Whitesville Road
Toms River, NJ 08755
(732) 349-1246
Ready for a safer yard?
Contact Rich Green Lawns today to learn more about our tick control programs and how we can help protect your property!
(732) 370-5963
Ticks and Tick-borne Disease | Rutgers Cooperative Extension
