Linden, 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.

Linden is 32% natural land cover (15% forest, plus open and brushy areas) across its 10.69 sq mi, home to about 43,950 people. That makes it the 20th-most wooded of the 21 towns in Union 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.

Union County reports about 24 Lyme cases per 100,000 people a year, the 203rd-highest of 210 Northeast counties. That county-level disease pressure, combined with Linden'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 Linden, today's risk reads low (18/100). Tick activity is low right now, but never zero. A quick check after time outdoors is still worth it.