Sand Lake, 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.

Sand Lake is 98% natural land cover (87% forest, plus open and brushy areas) across its 35.05 sq mi, home to about 8,290 people. That makes it the 4th-most wooded of the 16 towns in Rensselaer 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.

Rensselaer County reports about 263 Lyme cases per 100,000 people a year, the 50th-highest of 210 Northeast counties. That county-level disease pressure, combined with Sand Lake'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 Sand Lake, today's risk reads moderate (63/100). Ticks are active. Use repellent, stick to trails, and do a tick check when you come inside.