Deer, dog ticks are abundant in Maine right now. Here’s what to do about them.
Portland Press Herald - Maine Sunday Telegram • • health
Key Points:
- Maine is currently experiencing a high presence of ticks, particularly adult deer ticks and dog ticks, which are active in various environments including backyards, hiking trails, porches, and playgrounds.
- Deer ticks pose a significant public health risk as they can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses, while dog ticks are mainly a nuisance with no confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Maine.
- In 2025, Maine reported a record 4,257 Lyme disease cases, with 946 cases reported by early June, highlighting the ongoing tick-borne disease threat.
- Preventive measures recommended include using tick repellent, wearing protective clothing, performing tick checks after outdoor activities, and properly removing attached ticks to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
- The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Tick Lab offers tick identification services, and residents are encouraged to submit ticks for analysis to aid in monitoring and public health efforts.