NEVBD

Purpose

We are conducting a Tick Blitz in the Hudson Valley and Central regions of New York State to understand where different tick species are present in the state and track their northward expansion.

How Does it Work?

• Individuals who register to participate will attend online and/or in-person trainings to learn how to properly and safely collect ticks in their community
• Volunteers will receive a kit in the mail or pick one up at their local Cornell Cooperative Extension office. The kits will have everything they need to collect and return tick samples and protect from tick bites.
• Volunteers will collect ticks at a dedicated location of their choosing at least once between June 12 and June 23, 2023
• Collected ticks will be mailed back to Cornell University where they will be identified by our team of entomologists. Results will be made available online and shared with event volunteers.

Tick Blitz Informational Video

When and Where?

Tick collections will happen between June 12 and June 23, 2023.

Targeted counties include:

• Long Island: Nassau
• New York City: Bronx - Kings - New York - Queens
• Mid- and Lower-Hudson Valley: Delaware - Dutchess - Orange - Putnam - Rockland - Sullivan - Ulster - Westchester
• Capital Region: Albany - Coumbia - Greene - Rensselaer - Schenectady - Schoharie
• Central New York and Finger Lakes: Chenango - Madison - Monroe - Onondaga

The first step to registration is to watch our short informational video. This video provides an overview of what to expect as a volunteer in the Tick Blitz program.

Tick Blitz Informational Video

After watching the video, you can register to participate using the link below. Supplies are limited, so register by May 19 to reserve your tick collection kit!

Tick Blitz Registration Form

You can also contact us at tickblitz@gmail.com for more details.

In-Person Training

We are offering several in-person training sessions this year. You can sign up for one of these training sessions on the Tick Blitz registration form.

• Albany County - May 24, 1:30pm - 3:30pm: Five RIvers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Rd., Delmar NY 12054
• Bronx County - June 9, 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Bronx River Alliance - Bronx River House, 1490 Sheridan Blvd., Bronx NY 10459
• Delaware County - June 1, 1:00pm - 3:00pm: Birdsong Farm, 38480 State Highway 10, Delhi NY 13782

Training Webinars

We will also offer two virtual training sessions using Zoom.

• Tuesday June 6, 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Register here
• Wednesday June 7, 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Register here

Webinar Recordings

You can access the recordings from this year’s training webinars through the links below.

June 6 Training Recording

Quick Reference Guide

The quick reference guide is a PDF document where you can find key information for the Tick Blitz Week. The guide includes slides from the training webinar with a few updates, and more detailed instructions on storing and mailing the ticks!

Quick Reference Guide

You can also access the recordings from this year’s training webinars through the links below.

June 6 Training Recording

Additional Resources

Data Collection Sheet - Use this form to record your sampling data while collecting ticks

Tick Blitz FAQ - Answers to frequently asked questions you may hear from passers-by when you sample for ticks

Tick Sampling Guide - Guide for collecting ticks from the field

To Do At Home - List of things to do once you are home after a day of sampling for ticks

Tick Storage - Instructions on how to store the ticks

Mailing Ticks - A guide for how you will mail the ticks back to Cornell

Tick Blitz Kit Return - Instructions on what items in the collection kit you will keep and which you will return to Cornell

Land Owner Permission Form - Please complete this form if you are sampling on private property

Results from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 New York State Tick Blitz events are now available! Follow the link below to see where we collected ticks across the past two years.

New York State Tick Blitz Results