Spending time outside is one of the best ways to make memories with those we love. But certain Maine pests (I’m looking at you—ticks) can make spending time outside stressful. With a little bit of education and information, you’ll be able to confidently face ticks and get back to enjoying what matters—time spent outdoors.

In Maine, ticks are typically out and about during the warm months of the year (April-September).

Prevent Tick Bites

• Know where ticks live (typically in tall grass, under fallen leaves, and brush) and avoid these areas

• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear to help deter ticks

• Use EPA-registered insect repellants that have DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to product instructions (don’t use on anyone under the age of 3).

• Spend time outdoors during the warmest and driest part of the day when ticks tend to hide

• Use a tick preventative product on your dog

• Check your clothes, body, and pets for ticks once every hour

• Wear pants while outdoors

• Wear light colored clothing so you have a better chance of seeing if there are ticks on your clothing

After Spending Time Outdoors

• Check your body and your pets for ticks (focus on underarms, in and around ears, belly button, back of knees, in and around hair, between legs, around your waist)

• Check gear for ticks (hiking packs, coolers, blankets, etc.)

• Put the clothes your wearing into the dryer for 10 minutes on high heat to kill any ticks

• If you find ticks on you, pets, or your gear, remove and kill them immediately (I’ll outline how to kill them below)

• Shower within two hours of coming inside (this has shown to reduce risk of getting Lyme Disease)

How to Remove a Tick

• If the tick hasn’t broken skin, you should be able to grab it or brush it off

• If it has broken skin or is embedded, use tweezers to grab the tick as close to the skin as possible

• Pull the tick upward as steady and slowly as possible, try not to move quickly or make jerky movements

• After removing the tick, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water

• Kill the tick by either drowning it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed plastic bag, wrapping it tightly in tape, flushing it down the toilet, or, my personal favorite—burning it with a lighter in the sink

When to see a doctor

• If you develop a rash/fever within weeks of removing a tick, you should make an appointment with your primary care provider

  Remember that ticks are part of the Maine experience and although they should be taken very seriously, they shouldn’t prevent you from spending time outdoors. As long as you take the proper precautions and perform routine tick checks, you’ll be good to go.

Happy exploring, friends!

MyMaine