The Tick Time Bomb in Greenwich, CT: What Every Resident Needs to Know in 2025

Tick Control, LLC are experts and help thousands of families stay safe from ticks.

Greenwich, Connecticut, with its lush parks, wooded backyards, and scenic beauty, has long been a haven for nature lovers. But in 2025, this idyllic landscape is facing a growing threat that’s as tiny as it is dangerous: ticks. If you live in Greenwich, you’re at the epicenter of a tick explosion that’s rewriting the rules on outdoor safety, public health, and even the way we enjoy our own backyards.

Ticks: Tiny Invaders, Big Problems

Ticks aren’t new to Fairfield County, but their numbers—and the diseases they carry—are surging to unprecedented levels. According to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s (CAES) 2024-2025 statewide surveillance, more than 4,000 ticks were collected from 40 public locations across the state, representing a dramatic increase in both tick populations and the pathogens they harbor3. In Greenwich, this trend is especially pronounced, with reports from local pest control companies and residents confirming a “bumper crop” of ticks as early as March.

Why Are Ticks Thriving in Greenwich?

Several factors have converged to make Greenwich a tick hotspot in 2025:

• Mild Winters: Warmer, shorter winters mean ticks are active for longer periods, emerging earlier in the spring and lingering later into the fall.

• Deer Populations: Greenwich’s healthy deer population provides a mobile buffet for black-legged (deer) ticks, which are the primary vectors for Lyme disease.

• Fragmented Forests: Suburban development has created “edge habitats”—the perfect environment for ticks, deer, mice, and other hosts to thrive.

• Climate Change: Shifts in rainfall and temperature patterns are expanding the range and reproductive cycles of ticks.

What Ticks Are in Greenwich—And Which Should You Fear?

The most prevalent tick species in Greenwich remains the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), notorious for transmitting Lyme disease4. But in 2025, residents and researchers are sounding the alarm about invasive newcomers:

• Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum): Once rare in Connecticut, this aggressive tick is now regularly found in Greenwich parks and backyards. It’s known for causing Alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy, and can transmit ehrlichiosis.

• Asian Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis): Detected in Fairfield County for the first time in 2024, this tick reproduces rapidly and can overwhelm both pets and livestock.

The Diseases: More Than Just Lyme

Lyme disease continues to dominate headlines, but it’s far from the only concern. The CAES reports that ticks in Connecticut are now routinely testing positive for:

• Babesiosis

• Anaplasmosis

• Powassan Virus

• Ehrlichiosis

In 2024, more than 35% of tested ticks in southern Connecticut, including Greenwich, were positive for at least one human pathogen3.

Real Stories from Greenwich

Greenwich residents have noticed the difference. “We pulled six ticks off our dog after a walk at Pomerance Park,” says Riverside mom Julia D. “It’s never been this bad.” Local pediatricians are reporting a rise in tick-borne illnesses, and veterinarians are warning pet owners to be extra vigilant.

What’s Being Done?

Surveillance and Research

The CAES continues to lead the charge in monitoring tick populations and testing for pathogens.

Their 2024-2025 report is the most comprehensive yet, and it’s driving new public health initiatives3.

Community Action

Greenwich’s Department of Health is ramping up tick awareness campaigns, especially in schools and parks. Local landscaping companies are offering tick yard treatments, and the town is considering deer management programs to help curb the tick population.

Personal Protection

Here’s what every Greenwich resident should do in 2025:

• Dress Defensively: Light-colored clothing, long pants tucked into socks, and permethrin-treated gear are your best defense.

• Tick Checks: Make tick checks a family ritual after any outdoor activity.

• Yard Maintenance: Keep grass short, remove leaf litter, and create a tick-safe zone around your home.

• Pet Protection: Use veterinarian-approved tick preventatives for all pets.

Hyperlocal Hotspots: Where Are Ticks Worst in Greenwich?

Based on local reports and CAES data, the following are tick hotspots in Greenwich:

• Pomerance Park

• Greenwich Point Park

• Mianus River Park

• Backcountry estates with wooded edges

If you live near these areas, be especially vigilant.

The Future: What Will 2026 Bring?

With climate trends and invasive species both working in ticks’ favor, experts expect tick populations—and the diseases they carry—to keep rising. Greenwich’s blend of affluence and outdoor living means residents must take the threat seriously.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Ticks Win

Ticks may be small, but their impact on Greenwich is huge. The good news? Awareness is your best weapon. By staying informed, taking personal precautions, and supporting community efforts, Greenwich can fight back against this tiny terror.

Stay vigilant, Greenwich—your health depends on it. - Tick Control, LLC

Sources:

• 3: CAES Press Release, March 24, 2025

• 1: WTNH: Invasive ticks spread across more Connecticut counties

• 2: WFSB: Tick prevalence spreading across the state

• 4: WSHU: It’s tick season in CT. Which ones are most prevalent?