Are There Ticks in New Hampshire?
Yes, ticks are well established throughout New Hampshire, particularly in forested areas of the state. The black-legged tick, which can transmit Lyme disease, is common in the White Mountains and throughout the state's forests. American dog ticks are also present. Tick encounters are fairly frequent during spring and summer for people spending time outdoors.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
American Dog Tick · Nova Patch CC BY-SA
American Dog Tick · Matthew Lindsey CC BY
Asian Longhorned Tick · Zachary Dankowicz CC BY
- 6
- species recorded
- 1,091
- GBIF records
- May, June, April
- peak months
Yes, ticks are in New Hampshire. Next you'll want:
Verified species, source iNaturalist
2 types of ticks recorded in New Hampshire
2 tick species have a verified observation record in New Hampshire, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
- No openly licensed photo yet1
- No openly licensed photo yet2
Plus 4 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,380 verified observations on iNaturalist of tick have been recorded in New Hampshire, most often in May, June, April.
When tick are recorded in New Hampshire
Yes, ticks are well established throughout New Hampshire, particularly in forested areas of the state. The black-legged tick, which can transmit Lyme disease, is common in the White Mountains and throughout the state's forests. American dog ticks are also present. Tick encounters are fairly frequent during spring and summer for people spending time outdoors.
Are they in New Hampshire?
Ticks are firmly established across New Hampshire in all forested regions and many other habitats. The black-legged tick, also called the deer tick, is the most medically significant species in the state and is abundant in woodlands throughout the region. The American dog tick is also common. New Hampshire has one of the higher Lyme disease risks in the United States due to the prevalence of infected black-legged ticks. Forests in the White Mountains region, the Appalachian foothills in western New Hampshire, and woodland areas throughout the state all harbor significant tick populations. Even areas near towns and suburban properties with nearby woods can have ticks. The disease risk and tick prevalence have both increased over recent decades in New Hampshire. Anyone spending time inTick in New Hampshirehabitats, including hiking, camping, or yard work, should take tick prevention seriously. The good news is that awareness and proper prevention strategies greatly reduce any health risk from tick encounters.
How dangerous is it?
Tick bites in New Hampshire carry a genuine but manageable health risk, primarily from Lyme disease transmission. A black-legged tick must be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours to typically transmit Lyme disease, so early removal significantly reduces risk. Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment but is highly curable if caught early. Symptoms include a characteristic expanding rash at the bite site, fever, and joint pain. Without treatment, Lyme disease can cause long-term joint and neurological problems. However, with prompt recognition and antibiotic therapy, most people recover completely. American dog tick bites can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though this is less common in New Hampshire than Lyme disease. A tick bite itself is painful and can cause mild allergic reactions, with local redness and itching at the bite site. The key to managing tick risk is not panic but vigilance about prevention, prompt removal if bitten, and medical follow-up if symptoms develop. Most tick bites do not result in disease. For more on tick in New Hampshire, see ourNew Hampshire tick guide.
How to recognize one
Black-legged ticks, which transmit Lyme disease, are small and dark brown or nearly black in color. Unfed nymphs are tiny, roughly the size of a poppy seed, making them easily missed on skin. Adult black-legged ticks are slightly larger, about the size of a sesame seed before feeding. American dog ticks are larger, brown to reddish-brown, with a shield-shaped marking behind the head. Both species have eight legs and a hard exterior shell. Ticks move slowly and deliberately on skin or clothing, and they prefer to hide in skin folds, the groin, underarms, and hair. As ticks feed, they become increasingly engorged with blood and may double in size, becoming noticeably swollen. An engorged tick appears gray or slightly translucent. You are most likely to find a tick crawling on your body shortly after being in brushy or wooded areas in New Hampshire. Ticks are active in tall grass, under leaf litter, on low-hanging branches, and in areas with dense vegetation where they wait for passing animals or people. You can also browseNew Hampshire wildlife.
What to do if you are bitten or stung
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull steadily and straight away from the skin. Avoid jerking or twisting, which can break off the mouthparts. Do not squeeze the tick's body. After removal, clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic alcohol or iodine solution. Dispose of the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or container, or flushing it down the toilet. Do not use petroleum jelly, nail polish, or heat to remove the tick, as these ineffective methods waste time and increase disease risk. Save the tick in a sealed bag if you think you may have symptoms later and want it identified. Watch the bite site for an expanding rash over the following weeks. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Seek medical care if you develop a rash, fever, joint pain, or fatigue in the weeks after a tick bite. See all of ourwildlife guides.
How to prevent encounters
Preventing tick bites in New Hampshire requires a multi-layered approach, especially during tick season from spring through fall. Wear light-colored long pants and long sleeves when hiking or spending time in wooded areas, tall grass, or brush. Light colors make it easier to spot ticks before they attach. Tuck your pants into your socks or boots to create a physical barrier preventing ticks from crawling up your legs. Apply permethrin-based insecticide to clothing, shoes, and backpacks before outdoor activities. Permethrin repels ticks and is safe when applied to fabric only, not directly to skin. Apply DEET-based insect repellent to exposed skin according to product directions. Perform a thorough full-body tick check at the end of each day spent outdoors, examining all skin folds and the scalp. Remove ticks before they can attach. Shower or bathe after outdoor time and place clothing in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes to kill any ticks. Check pets daily and remove any ticks found. Keep grass short and remove brush and leaf litter near your home to reduce tick habitat. OurNew Hampshire wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Where in New Hampshire and when
Ticks are present throughout New Hampshire, but certain areas have higher populations than others. The White Mountains region, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor and surrounding forests, has significant tick populations. The Seacoast region, even with its more coastal habitat, still has ticks in wooded patches. Southern New Hampshire forests and the Connecticut River Valley all harbor ticks. Tick activity follows a seasonal pattern in New Hampshire. Tick season begins in spring, typically around April or May, when temperatures warm and ticks become active. Nymph stage ticks, the smallest and hardest to find, are most abundant in May and June. Adult ticks become more common in fall, typically September through November. During summer months, tick activity continues but may temporarily decrease as ticks avoid the hottest periods and seek shaded, moist areas. Winter cold sharply reduces tick activity, though some ticks may become active during warm spells. Your highest risk period in New Hampshire is late spring through early fall, with May and June presenting particular risk from smaller nymphs.
Harmless lookalikes
When searching your body for ticks after outdoor time, you may find small arthropods that are not ticks at all. Chiggers, which are tiny parasitic mites, are far more common than ticks in some New Hampshire habitats and cause intense itching, though they transmit no serious disease. Lice are small parasites that infest hair and move quickly, quite different from the slow-moving tick. Fleas are dark, small insects that jump and are rarely found on human skin for long. Mites of various harmless species are abundant in soil and vegetation. Small spiders and pseudoscorpions are common in brush and grass. When you find a small arthropod on your skin or clothing, the probability that it is something harmless rather than a tick is high. Most small creatures people encounter outdoors never attach to humans at all. Removing and examining a questionable arthropod with tweezers or a magnifying glass often reveals it is not a tick. If you are uncertain, place the arthropod in a sealed container and take it to your local county extension office in New Hampshire for identification.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Are ticks deadly in New Hampshire?** Tick-related deaths from Lyme disease are extremely rare, especially with prompt medical treatment. Untreated Lyme disease can cause serious complications, but nearly all cases are curable with antibiotics if recognized early. **How common are tick bites in New Hampshire?** Tick bites are common for people who spend significant time in wooded areas during spring and summer. Urban residents with limited outdoor time in forests face lower risk. **What attracts ticks to a house?** Ticks do not actively seek houses; they hitchhike on pets, clothing, or wildlife. Ticks clinging to pets or brought in on clothing are the usual mode of indoor entry. **What should I do if I see one?** Remove any tick found on clothing or skin immediately using tweezers, then clean the area. Consultwildlife in New Hampshireresources or call your local health department if you have concerns about tick species or health risks following a bite.
Plan your trip
Best time to see tick in New Hampshire: May, June, April
See the month-by-month sighting calendar.
Plan your tick sighting in New Hampshire
1,091 verified tick records have been logged in New Hampshire. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New Hampshire
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
Frequently asked questions
Are they in New Hampshire?+
Ticks are firmly established across New Hampshire in all forested regions and many other habitats. The black-legged tick, also called the deer tick, is the most medically significant species in the state and is abundant in woodlands throughout the region. The American dog tick is also common. New Hampshire has one of the higher Lyme disease risks in the United States due to the prevalence of infected black-legged ticks. Forests in the White Mountains region, the Appalachian foothills in western New Hampshire, and woodland areas throughout the state all harbor significant tick populations. Even areas near towns and suburban properties with nearby woods can have ticks. The disease risk and tick prevalence have both increased over recent decades in New Hampshire. Anyone spending time inTick in New Hampshirehabitats, including hiking, camping, or yard work, should take tick prevention seriously. The good news is that awareness and proper prevention strategies greatly reduce any health risk from tick encounters.
How dangerous is it?+
Tick bites in New Hampshire carry a genuine but manageable health risk, primarily from Lyme disease transmission. A black-legged tick must be attached for at least 24 to 48 hours to typically transmit Lyme disease, so early removal significantly reduces risk. Lyme disease is a serious bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment but is highly curable if caught early. Symptoms include a characteristic expanding rash at the bite site, fever, and joint pain. Without treatment, Lyme disease can cause long-term joint and neurological problems. However, with prompt recognition and antibiotic therapy, most people recover completely. American dog tick bites can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though this is less common in New Hampshire than Lyme disease. A tick bite itself is painful and can cause mild allergic reactions, with local redness and itching at the bite site. The key to managing tick risk is not panic but vigilance about prevention, prompt removal if bitten, and medical follow-up if symptoms develop. Most tick bites do not result in disease. For more on tick in New Hampshire, see ourNew Hampshire tick guide.
More places to see tick
More wildlife in New Hampshire