🔍 Tick Types in Hudson Valley: Know What's Biting You

October 8, 2025 • 6 min read • Category: Education

🔍 Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links with tag hudsonvalleyt-20. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in.

Introduction

Found a tick? Want to know what species it is? In the Hudson Valley, not all ticks are created equal. Some are relatively harmless. Others are Lyme disease vectors you should be worried about.

Learning to identify the three main tick species in our region helps you understand your actual risk and decide whether to get tested.

The Three Main Ticks in Hudson Valley

1. Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) - THE DANGEROUS ONE

Scientific name: Ixodes scapularis

Why it's dangerous: This is the primary Lyme disease vector. It can also transmit anaplasmosis and babesiosis.

What it looks like:

Very small - nymph stage is the size of a poppy seed
Adult females are about 3-5mm (sesame seed size)
Dark reddish-brown body
Black legs (hence the name)
Oval-shaped body

When to find them: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-October). Peak in May-June.

Where to find them: Woods, tall grass, leaf litter. Near hosts like deer, mice, birds.

        💡 Pro Tip: The nymph stage is most dangerous because it's so small and often goes unnoticed. An unnoticed tick can feed for 24-48 hours, increasing Lyme transmission risk.
    

2. American Dog Tick - LESS DANGEROUS

Scientific name: Dermacentor variabilis

Risk level: Can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever but NOT typically Lyme disease.

What it looks like:

Larger than blacklegged ticks (3-5mm before feeding)
Brown body with white or gray markings (ornate pattern)
Visible to the naked eye
Oval-shaped

When and where: Spring-summer. Commonly found on dogs (hence the name) and in grasslands and roadsides.

3. Lone Star Tick - MODERATE CONCERN

Scientific name: Amblyomma americanum

Risk level: Can transmit ehrlichiosis and other diseases. Not typically Lyme, but still concerning.

What it looks like:

Brown body
Distinctive white spot on female's back
About 3-5mm
Found less commonly in Hudson Valley (more common in the South)

How to Identify a Blacklegged Tick (The One You Should Worry About)

Here's what to look for if you find a tick on yourself:

Feature	Blacklegged (Lyme)	American Dog Tick
Size	Very small (poppy seed)	Larger (sesame seed)
Color	Dark brown/reddish	Brown with white markings
Legs	Black legs	Brown legs
Lyme Risk	HIGH - primary vector	LOW - doesn't carry Lyme

What to Do With a Tick You've Identified

Remove safely using the method we discussed in our tick removal guide
Place in a container (don't crush)
Consider getting it tested for Lyme disease
Document the date and location where you found it
Monitor yourself for symptoms for 30 days

        💡 Pro Tip: If you find a blacklegged tick, keep it for potential testing. Some labs offer tick identification and Lyme disease testing.
    

Peak Tick Season in Hudson Valley

Spring Peak (May-June): Peak for nymph-stage blacklegged ticks (the most dangerous size for transmission).

Fall Peak (September-October): Peak for adult blacklegged ticks.

Winter: Ticks go dormant in leaf litter but can emerge on warm days.

Year-round risk: Ticks can be active whenever temperatures are above 40°F.

Get a Tick Identification Kit

TickCheck Value 3-Pack

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$8–10

Why it's useful: Each kit includes a magnifier to help you identify tick species and collection containers for safe storage. Perfect for learning to identify what type of tick you found and having containers ready when you need them.

View on Amazon

Bottom Line

In Hudson Valley, the blacklegged (deer) tick is your main concern for Lyme disease. If you find a very small dark tick with black legs, treat it seriously. If you find a larger brown tick with white markings, your risk is lower but still worth monitoring.

When in doubt, remove safely and monitor for symptoms.