Tick Season Is Back in Maine as Warmer Weather Arrives

As warmer weather starts to return to Maine, so do ticks, and experts say they are already becoming more active.

Local tick control professionals are reporting a noticeable increase in tick activity over the past week, especially following recent rain. Many of the early reports are coming from pet owners who are finding multiple ticks on their dogs after being outside for even a short time.

Experts say one of the most effective ways to reduce ticks around your home is by targeting rodents. Mice and other small animals play a major role in spreading ticks, particularly deer ticks, which are known to carry Lyme disease, WGME recently reported.

One method being used involves placing small treatment boxes around a yard, especially near wooded areas. These boxes attract rodents and expose them to a treatment that kills ticks without harming the animals. The goal is to break the cycle and reduce the number of ticks in the immediate area.

The news station said tick habitats are commonly found in areas with dense leaf litter and organic debris, which provide the ideal environment for ticks to survive through the winter. The highest risk zones are typically within six to eight feet of the edge of a yard where it meets wooded or overgrown areas.

If you do find a tick on your body, experts recommend removing it carefully with tweezers by pulling straight up. Ticks can also be sent to the Maine Tick Lab for testing if there are concerns about disease exposure.