Protect Yourself from Deer Ticks and Tick-Borne Illnesses

Despite the recent run of damp and dreary days, warmer weather is on its way, and ticks are already active in Maine.

As the weather warms up, ticks become more active — and so does the risk of Lyme disease. May is recognized as Lyme Disease Prevention Month, a timely reminder to stay alert and take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites.

Recognizing Deer Ticks
The blacklegged tick, commonly known as the deer tick, is the main carrier of Lyme disease in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States. These ticks are tiny — adult females are about the size of a sesame seed and have a reddish-orange body with black legs, while nymphs (immature ticks) are even smaller, about the size of a poppy seed. Nymphs are especially active in late spring and early summer and are responsible for most cases of Lyme disease because their small size makes them harder to spot.

Why Preventing Tick Bites Matters
Preventing tick bites is crucial because deer ticks can transmit several serious diseases, including:

  • Lyme disease — the most common tick-borne illness in the U.S., causing fever, fatigue, headache, and a distinctive bull’s-eye rash. If left untreated, it can lead to joint pain and nervous system complications.

  • Anaplasmosis — another bacterial infection that can cause fever, chills, muscle aches, and severe complications if not treated promptly.

  • Babesiosis — caused by a parasite that infects red blood cells, leading to flu-like symptoms and sometimes more severe illness in people with weakened immune systems.

  • Powassan virus — a rare but serious disease that can cause brain inflammation.

Simple Steps to Stay Safe

  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

  • Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pants into socks when walking in grassy or wooded areas.

  • Do a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors — especially under the arms, around the ears, behind the knees, and in the hair.

  • Shower soon after being outdoors to wash off ticks before they can attach.

  • Keep your yard tick-safe by mowing grass, removing leaf litter, and creating barriers between lawns and wooded areas.

By staying vigilant and practicing tick bite prevention, you can enjoy the outdoors safely this season. Learn more about protecting yourself at CDC’s Tickborne Diseases page.

If You Get a Tick Bite:

Remove the tick quickly.

Use a tick spoon or fine-tipped tweezers. Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick.

Watch this video from U.S. CDC on how to safely remove a tick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4Ny5YJh6Ws. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/removing_a_tick.html.

Check for symptoms.

Look for symptoms for up to 30 days after a tick bite. Early symptoms include:

  • Fever and chills

  • Feeling very tired

  • Muscle or joint soreness

  • Headache

  • Bullseye rash. This is a non-itchy rash that slowly expands in size. This rash can show up anywhere on your body, not just where the tick bit you. Make sure to check all over your body.

  • For more information, check out this Fact Sheet from U.S. CDC: What to Do After a Tick Bite | Ticks | CDC

Call a health care provider.

If you see a bullseye rash or start to feel any of these symptoms, talk to a health care provider. Make sure to mention any recent tick bites or time spent in tick habitat.

For more information on tickborne diseases, visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/vectorborne.

POSTTracey Carlsontick, tick safety, deer tick, Lyme disease awareness month, lyme disease