Hempstead, NY

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.

Hempstead is 46% natural land cover (24% forest, plus open and brushy areas) across its 118.51 sq mi, home to about 785,678 people. That makes it the 4th-most wooded of the 5 towns in Nassau 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.

Nassau County reports about 44 Lyme cases per 100,000 people a year, the 193rd-highest of 210 Northeast counties. That county-level disease pressure, combined with Hempstead'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 Hempstead, today's risk reads low (25/100). Tick activity is low right now, but never zero. A quick check after time outdoors is still worth it.