Deer and Tick Management Program

North Haven Deer & Tick Management Program

The Village of North Haven’s Deer & Tick Management Program is a science-based, community-supported initiative to reduce tick populations, protect public health, and maintain a healthy, balanced deer population. The program combines targeted tick control and responsible herd management to reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and the increasingly reported alpha-gal syndrome (a red meat allergy linked to Lone Star tick bites).

Launched in 2014 and rebooted in 2022 after a regulatory pause, the program focuses on the deployment of 4-Poster tick control stations—feeding stations that apply Permethrin to deer as they feed. This safely and effectively kills ticks on the animal’s head and neck without dispersing chemicals into the air or soil.

Deer are the primary hosts for adult ticks, especially blacklegged and Lone Star ticks. By eliminating ticks directly on the host, the 4-Poster system helps break the tick life cycle and reduces the risk of disease transmission to humans and pets. But tick control alone isn’t enough—managing the size of the deer herd is equally critical. Fewer deer means fewer available hosts, which further reduces the tick population’s ability to spread and reproduce.

At the same time, maintaining a healthy deer herd ensures that animals have adequate food, space, and resilience against disease. Overpopulation can lead to poor nutrition, weakened immunity, higher disease rates within the herd, and environmental degradation due to over-browsing of native vegetation—ultimately harming both wildlife and the landscape we share.

Since its relaunch, the program has expanded to 20 active stations, supported by more than 500 resident consents. Results have been significant:

Blacklegged tick populations (the primary carriers of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis) have declined by 96% from 2021 to 2024.

Lone Star tick populations (linked to alpha-gal syndrome and tularemia) have declined by 77% since 2023.

These reductions are based on twice-annual tick drags and on-deer tick counts, both of which are compared to control sites outside the Village. This approach provides reliable, science-driven benchmarks for tracking the program’s impact.

New York State regulations require written consent from every property owner within 745 feet of any 4-Poster station. Your participation is essential—we can’t operate or expand this program without you.

Together, we’re protecting North Haven—its residents, its wildlife, and its future—from the growing threat of tick-borne disease.

What We Need From YOU

Whether or not your property falls within 745 feet of a 4-Poster station, we’re asking every North Haven resident to take a moment to provide consent. Your support gives us the flexibility to expand and maintain this vital program—and sends a strong message that our entire community is committed to reducing the threat of tick-borne disease.

Participating is quick, easy, and makes a real difference. Just use the links below to sign the online consent forms. It takes less than a minute, but your impact will last all season long.

Sign electronically:

           VNH Tick Management form
           VNH Deer Management form

Questions about the program? Contact Deputy Mayor Claas Abraham at ticks@northhavenny.gov — we're here to help.

Deputy Mayor Claas Abraham serves on the Suffolk County Tick Control Advisory Committee, where he works alongside public health officials, scientists, and policymakers to advance regional tick management strategies. His role on the committee ensures that North Haven stays informed, proactive, and at the forefront of science-based solutions to reduce tick-borne illnesses across our community.