Tick Prevention in Maine: Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and with tick activity on the rise across Maine, it's more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. In 2024, Maine reported a record number of tick borne disease cases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis . Factors such as mild winters and expanding tick habitats have contributed to this increase. Depending on the town that you live in, public parks may have pesticides sprayed to eliminate some of the tick population, however most large parks and conservation trust trails avoid potentially harmful pesticides and allow nature to run its course. This means you need to take steps to ensure that you are protected from these pesky arachnids (yes, they are classified in the same family as spiders).

One misconception about ticks is how they find their “hosts”. Ticks don’t jump, fly or drop from trees. They typically use a passive behavior known as “questing” to find and attach to warm living body. When questing, a tick will perch at the end of a piece of vegetation with front legs extended and simply latch on to a suitable host as it passes by. Carbon dioxide, body heat, vibrations, and other bodily cues can attract ticks who are searching for a host. Some tick species are more aggressive in response to these stimuli and will travel several meters to locate a host.

7 Steps to Avoid Ticks in Maine

1. Wear protective clothing

Opt for long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when venturing outdoors. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they attach. There are many options available for lightweight and breathable fabric to keep you comfortable while remaining covered. This also means wearing a hat to keep ticks from getting to your hair as easily.

2. Use EPA-Approved Tick Repellents

Apply insect repellents containing DEET (20–30%), picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus oil to exposed skin. For clothing and gear, consider using permethrin-based products, which can kill ticks on contact and remain effective through multiple washes. Apply repellents immediately before going out and then every so often while you're outside for long periods of time.

3. Stick to the Center of Trails

Ticks thrive in wooded and grassy areas. When hiking or walking, stay in the middle of trails and avoid brushing against vegetation. This reduces the likelihood of ticks hitching a ride on your clothing. Keep pets near you to avoid your pet getting covered in ticks. 

4. Perform Regular Tick Checks

After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body for ticks, paying close attention to areas like the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, waist, and behind the knees. Prompt removal reduces the risk of disease transmission.

5. Use a lint roller on clothes and pets after your walk

Before entering your home, use a lint roller on your clothing and pets to pick up any unattached ticks. This simple step can help prevent ticks from making their way indoors and has saved me hours from searching for ticks. Have a lint roller handy, peel off a fresh sticky layer, and run along your clothes and or pet's fur. Ticks stick to the lint roller and it's a great way to remove the really small ticks that our eyes can often miss.

6. Shower soon after being outdoors

Showering within two hours of coming indoors can help wash off unattached ticks and provides an opportunity to conduct a thorough tick check.

7. Maintain Your Yard to Deter Ticks

Keep your lawn mowed, remove leaf litter, and create a barrier of wood chips or gravel between your lawn and wooded areas. These measures can reduce tick habitats around your home.

When you find a tick it can be difficult to get rid of them and if you put them in the trash they may find their way back to your floor. If you're trying to kill a tick you can smash it or place it in a plastic bag to suffocate it.

What to Do If You're Bitten by a Tick

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting or jerking the tick.

3. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

4. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, or flushing it down the toilet.

5. Monitor the bite site for signs of a rash or fever over the next few weeks.

6. If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider promptly.

For more information on how to prevent tick bites and Lyme's disease, you can visit Maine's CDC page here.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy Maine's beautiful outdoors while minimizing the risk of tick bites and tickborne diseases. Check out our Arundel Conservation Trust trails here. Happy hiking!