logo
Tick activity surges in Maine with arrival of warmer weather

Tick activity surges in Maine with arrival of warmer weather

Yahoo22-03-2025

Mar. 22—Deer tick activity surged this week as warmer weather stirred the Lyme-disease carrying arachnids out of their dormant winter state to begin searching for hosts.
Griffin Dill, integrated pest management specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension's tick lab, said submissions of ticks to the lab went from a trickle over the winter to a dozen or more each day this week.
"The season is here," Dill said. "In the last couple years this is what we've been seeing, that in mid- to late-March we start to see that increase in activity and sample submissions."
The tick lab accepts submissions of ticks to test to see what types of ticks are being found, and also for research purposes.
Dill said most likely the ticks that are active currently are deer ticks, the ticks that transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.
"What we are seeing right now are adult deer ticks that overwintered and didn't find a host in the fall," Dill said. "Dog ticks won't really start being active for another month and a half."
As the deer tick broadens its range — likely in response to climate change — Lyme disease has become more prevalent, with Maine experiencing a record high of 3,218 cases in 2024, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
So far in 2025, Maine has logged 291 cases of Lyme, but the bulk of Lyme cases occur later in the spring, and then throughout the summer and fall.
Lyme disease symptoms include a characteristic bulls-eye rash (although some people who contract Lyme do not get the rash), fever, headache, fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes.
If caught early, Lyme disease, a bacterial infection, can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
Dill said the 2024-25 winter likely did not knock tick populations back. Snow acts as an insulator to help keep the ticks alive.
"We certainly had some stretches of cold weather, in the single digits and teens, but we had that snow cover along with the cold temperatures," Dill said. "You need sustained periods of time with very cold temperatures with little or no snow cover, and we just didn't see that. We are not anticipating this winter had any negative impact on tick populations."
Shorter winters are also helping to boost tick populations, Dill said.
Lindsay Hammes, spokesperson for the Maine CDC, said in a written statement that "seeing increased tick activity at this time of year isn't much of a surprise."
"Ticks can be active any time the temperatures are above freezing, and so with this warmer, wetter weather, ticks are likely out and they're hungry," Hammes said. "If you are out gardening, cleaning up the yard, walking the dog or going on a hike, remember to take precautions against tick bites."
Precautions include using EPA-approved tick repellent, wearing light-colored long sleeves and pants when in tick habitat, and tucking your pants into your socks.
Tick habitat includes not just wooded areas, but ticks also can be in your yard, such as in firewood and under leaves. If you are in a high tick area, when you arrive home, check for ticks on your body and clothes, check pets, shower and put clothes in the drier on high heat for at least 15 minutes.
Copy the Story Link

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lyme-disease isn't the only tick-borne threat. Doctors warn these other diseases are spreading
Lyme-disease isn't the only tick-borne threat. Doctors warn these other diseases are spreading

The Hill

timea day ago

  • The Hill

Lyme-disease isn't the only tick-borne threat. Doctors warn these other diseases are spreading

(NEXSTAR) – You've likely heard public health officials' repeated pleas to check yourself, your kids and your pets for tick bites, which can spread serious diseases. While Lyme disease gets the most attention – and affects the most people – there are other tick-borne bacteria and diseases that have also been found spreading in the U.S. Just last month, Connecticut researchers said they identified the first case of a longhorned tick infected with a pathogen called ehrlichia chaffeensis. Infections can give people fever chills, headaches, muscle aches and stomach issues. 'We also worry about a parasite called Babesia, which causes a disease called Babesiosis,' said Nicole Baumgarth, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in a recent briefing on tick-borne illnesses. The same ticks that carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease can carry this parasite, which then infects people's red blood cells, causing anemia and other 'very serious consequences,' Baumgarth said. Some people infected by the parasite may feel flu-like symptoms, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while others may have no symptoms at all. That's a problem if people live with the parasite and then donate their infected blood, which can cause harm to the people who receive it as a transfusion. Baumgarth also warned of viruses that can be spread by ticks, such as tick-borne encephalitis. It's an infection that can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It's a bigger problem in Europe than in the U.S., she said, but here we have Heartland virus and Powassan virus to contend with. 'Both viruses are still very rare, but we have seen our first case of Heartland virus in Maryland last year, and the fact that we are now seeing these virus infections in areas that we haven't seen them before, it probably indicates the tip of the iceberg,' said Baumgarth. Because these viruses are rarer, and their symptoms can be non-specific, doctors don't usually think to test for them, Baumgarth explained. Many cases of Heartland and Powassan virus could be left uncounted as a result. 'So it would be rare that we diagnose it because we are not looking hard enough for it right now,' she said. Both viruses can present with generic first symptoms like fever, headache and vomiting, but can cause serious illness if left unchecked. Powassan virus could lead to seizures, loss of coordination and confusion in severe cases where the brain and spinal cord are impacted. Yet another concern is the tick that can cause people to become allergic to red meat if they're bitten. It's called alpha-gal syndrome and is caused by bites from the Lone Star tick, first identified in Texas. However, this type of tick is 'very aggressively' moving north and becoming a problem in other regions of the country, according to Baumgarth. Some of these rare viruses don't have a treatment or cure, so prevention is what's most important, the CDC says. You should avoid ticks by wearing long sleeves and pants in bushy and wooded areas, using bug repellent, and doing a thorough tick check after spending time outside.

Ticks becoming more active as weather heats up
Ticks becoming more active as weather heats up

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Yahoo

Ticks becoming more active as weather heats up

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The weather is getting warmer and the bugs are really coming out. Over the years, the tick population has increased dramatically and it's important to protect yourself from them. As the weather gets warmer, more and more of us are spending time outside. Ticks tend to be very active this time of year, and they can carry dangerous and even deadly diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Powassan. So it's important to avoid areas where they could be. Mosquito activity: Effective ways to prevent bites 'Keeping your yard mowed, keeping things from becoming overgrown, and just avoiding those areas. If you're hiking, sticking to the middle of the trail. Don't veer off to where the vegetation is tall because that's where the ticks are hiding,' said Natasha Wright of Braman Termite & Pest Elimination. If you're going into a wooded area, you should wear pants and long sleeves and light colors so you can more easily spot any ticks that may be on you. You should also use tweezers to remove it and not squash the tick, because that could help spread disease if the tick has it WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

This 'brilliant' $10 gadget helps remove ticks — it works for both people and pets
This 'brilliant' $10 gadget helps remove ticks — it works for both people and pets

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

This 'brilliant' $10 gadget helps remove ticks — it works for both people and pets

Tick season is here — and with warm temperatures forecast across Canada, it's important to be cautious of the creepy, crawly critters, especially with the risk of Lyme disease. Whether you're going camping, for a hike or on a quick walk, it's crucial to be aware of your surroundings. It's no joke — the persistent insects are supposedly "fitter, better, faster [and] stronger" than they've been in past years. Removing a tick can be difficult without the proper tool, which is why it's essential to be prepared. This Tick Twister Tick Remover Set from Amazon Canada can help remove the bugs from both human and animal skin, making it a great buy for pets and owners alike. At just $10, this tool is a small price to pay for peace of mind this summer. This tick remover set comes with one small and one large tool. Sure, you can try removing ticks with tweezers and household tools, but there's risk involved. With this Tick Twister set, you'll feel reassured that the tick will be withdrawn without excess squeezing, reducing the risk of infection. Additionally, it will not leave the tick's mouth parts in the skin; instead, it will remove the tick as a whole within seconds (and without pain). Simply hook it, lift the tool lightly and turn it for about two or three rotations. It's the safest and easiest way to remove the insect without chemicals or dangerous methods. The set comes with a small and large tool that you can attach to a key ring, so you can always keep them on hand. ⭐️ 4.6/5 stars 💬 5,300+ ratings 🏆 "Simple and brilliant product." Shoppers have given this tick remover tool a fairly high rating, with many claiming it's "easy to use." One person said it's "handy to have" and that it's nice to have "two sizes to choose from." "The whole tick came out in seconds," they added. Another reviewer said these "work perfectly" at getting ticks out and "without pulling their heads off." However, a third customer said, "Small is too small," and they wished there was one even bigger than the large size. Someone who was initially skeptical of the product confirmed this is a "must-buy" item for pets. Thanks to this tool, there was "no mess" and "no stress." With tick season here, it's important to practice safe removal methods. Whether you or your pets get tick bites often or not, this tool is definitely a good one to keep in your emergency kit — trust me, you'll thank yourself later. Shoppers say it's "easy to use" and call the process "quick and painless." However, some say they're "smaller than expected" and wish there were an even bigger size.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store