Are There Ticks in Central Park and Other NYC Parks?
Ticks can be found in New York City parks
Infected deer ticks have been documented in urban green spaces
Park design, deer, and birds may influence Lyme disease risk
Readers often ask: are there ticks in Central Park, Manhattan, and other NYC parks? There has been an “unprecedented increase in locally acquired cases in New York City,” writes VanAcker in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In response, VanAcker and colleagues launched a study to determine tick densities and B. burgdorferi infection prevalence in nymphal deer ticks (I. scapularis) in New York City’s public parks.
They also examined the effect of landscape composition and configuration on tick populations and infection rates.
Investigators collected 560 ticks from 24 parks throughout all 5 boroughs, which included Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens.
“At least 1 I. scapularis nymph [tick] was found at 17 of 24 parks surveyed throughout NYC,” the authors explain.
Meanwhile, 10 of the 17 parks had more than 6 nymphs and were considered to have established deer tick populations. All of these parks were on Staten Island, with the exception of Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.
At each park, between 8% and 40% of the ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi. The average nymphal infection prevalence was 26.6%.
Are there ticks in Central Park, Manhattan, and other NYC parks?
Searches such as “are there ticks in Central Park,” “ticks in NYC,” and “ticks in Manhattan” reflect a growing public concern: ticks are no longer viewed only as a suburban or rural problem.
The study did not find established deer tick populations in every New York City park, but it did document infected nymphal deer ticks in multiple boroughs. Staten Island parks had the strongest evidence of established populations, while Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx also met the study definition.
Interestingly, the parks which did not have established tick populations also did not have many deer. This “indicates a strong link between deer and presence of I. scapularis ticks in NYC parks,” the authors write.
“We found forested parks with vegetated buffers and increased connectivity had higher nymph densities,” VanAcker writes, “and the degree of park connectivity strongly determined B. burgdorferi nymphal infection prevalence.”
According to the authors, this study challenges the belief that tick-borne diseases are merely a risk to those living in suburban regions and natural settings.
Why are infected ticks moving into New York City?
VanAcker and colleagues suggest that urban landscape design may influence the movement and survival of ticks in city parks.
- “Green space design affects vector and host communities in areas of emerging urban tick-borne disease.”
- “Locally dispersing or migrating passerine birds play a role in moving immature ticks longer distances.”
These findings support the need for prevention in urban parks, including tick checks after visiting wooded, grassy, or brushy areas. For broader prevention steps, see prevention of Lyme disease.
Tick checks remain reasonable after visiting wooded, grassy, or brushy sections of city parks, even in urban environments.
Patients who develop symptoms after a tick bite in New York City should also be aware that Lyme disease can begin with a rash, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, joint pain, or neurologic complaints. For a broader symptom overview, see the Lyme disease symptoms guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there ticks in Central Park?
Ticks can be found in New York City parks, although the study discussed here found the strongest evidence of established deer tick populations in Staten Island parks and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.
Are there ticks in NYC parks?
Yes. Investigators found at least 1 I. scapularis nymphal tick in 17 of 24 surveyed NYC parks across all 5 boroughs.
Can ticks in NYC carry Lyme disease?
Yes. In the study, between 8% and 40% of ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi, the pathogen associated with Lyme disease.
Are there ticks in Manhattan?
The study included Manhattan parks, but established deer tick populations were more strongly documented in Staten Island and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx.
Why are ticks found in urban parks?
Ticks may be supported by deer, birds, connected green spaces, forested areas, and vegetated buffers. These factors can allow ticks and tick hosts to move through urban landscapes.
Clinical Takeaway
Ticks in Central Park and other NYC parks are part of a broader urban tick-borne disease concern.
The study found infected deer ticks in New York City parks and showed that landscape connectivity, vegetated buffers, deer, and birds may influence tick density and infection prevalence.
The key point is that Lyme disease prevention is important in urban parks, not only in suburban or rural settings.
Related Articles
B. burgdorferi, the pathogen that causes Lyme disease, is widespread in New York City metro area
Infected ticks prevalent in urban areas in the United Kingdom (UK)
Urban ticks carry B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi
Bad signs after a tick bite
References
- Daskalakis DC. Department of Health and Mental Health. Advisory #14: tick-borne disease advisory. New York City, NY, 2017. [cited 2019 Jan 15].
- VanAcker MC, Little EAH, Molaei G, Bajwa WI, Diuk-Wasser MA. Enhancement of Risk for Lyme Disease by Landscape Connectivity, New York, New York, USA. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019;25(6):1136-1143.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I deal with ticks from time to time while doing pest control in Marysville. It seems they are becoming more prevalent in the area over the past few seasons. I’m going to look into learning more about lyme disease so I can educate my clients who are potentially at higher risk.