Franklin Township, NJ

Nymphs are questing, the highest-risk stage for people. Nymphal deer ticks peak in late spring and summer. They're the size of a poppy seed, easy to miss, and cause most Lyme transmission.

Franklin Township is 81% natural land cover (51% forest, plus open and brushy areas) across its 23.04 sq mi, home to about 3,286 people. That makes it the 21st-most wooded of the 26 towns in Hunterdon County. Deer ticks live in wooded areas, along trail edges, and in tall grass — the more of that a town has, the more places ticks can quest.

Hunterdon County reports about 494 Lyme cases per 100,000 people a year, the 13th-highest of 210 Northeast counties. That county-level disease pressure, combined with Franklin Township's local habitat, sets how high its daily score can climb when the weather and season allow.

Yes. Nymphs are questing, the highest-risk stage for people. In Franklin Township, today's risk reads high (70/100). Conditions strongly favor tick activity. Cover up, use repellent, and check carefully, including kids and pets.