Maine CDC Encourages Tick Bite Prevention This Fall
Reminds Maine people and visitors ticks remain active even as temperatures fall
As days get shorter and leaves begin to change, ticks remain active across Maine. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) urges all Maine people and visitors to protect themselves from tick bites this fall.
Ticks can be active throughout the fall and during winter days, whenever temperatures rise above freezing. Fall is a busy time for outdoor activities, bringing people into contact with ticks more often. People may encounter them during everyday fall activities, like cleaning the yard or hunting.
Current year preliminary counts from the Maine Tracking Network show that health care providers reported over 5,000 cases of tickborne disease so far this year. This includes diseases like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.
“Many people think ticks are only a summer problem, but ticks can remain active throughout the fall,” said Maine CDC Director Puthiery Va. “You can enjoy Maine’s beautiful fall weather and outdoor activities while staying safe by taking a few simple steps before, during, and after can help protect you from tickborne disease.”
Ticks often live in wooded and brushy areas and areas with leaf litter. The Maine CDC encourages everyone to think TICKS when spending time outdoors:
- T – Take an EPA-approved repellent and use it before going outside. Use DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on skin. Pre-treat clothing with permethrin.
- I – Inspect your body daily. Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
- C – Cover your skin. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and tuck pants into socks. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot.
- K – Know your surroundings. Be aware when you are in tick habitat and take extra precautions.
- S – Shower after being outdoors. Showering helps wash off ticks before they attach. Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 15 minutes before washing to kill ticks.
Remember to check for ticks after any outdoor activity and before bed each night. Check in areas where ticks may be easy to miss, including the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, around the waist, between the legs, and behind the knees.
The most common symptoms of tickborne disease include flu-like symptoms. People who have Lyme disease may also find an expanding rash somewhere on their body. This rash can sometimes, though not always, look like a bullseye. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to a health care provider and be sure to mention any recent tick exposure.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab offers tick identification for free and tick testing to Maine residents for a $20 fee. Testing can take up to three days and should be used for surveillance purposes only, not for diagnosis. Finding a tick on you, even if it was attached, does not necessarily mean that it spread any germs to you. Find more information at ticks.umaine.edu.
To learn more about how to stay tick free, visit the Maine CDC's website.
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