Spring in Maine Means Ticks Are Here and Wanting You Once Again

Picked the first tick of the season off of the dog over the weekend. Seems early because we have just got going with Spring, but according to the University of Maine

Tick season is from early spring to late fall. During this stretch of time, there are two peaks. The first is from April to May and the second is from June to early July. Although most ticks are found during these months, it is important to note that ticks can remain active as long as the temperature does not drop below freezing.

The dog isn’t worried, he’s got me looking for ticks and picking them off of him. Plus he’s got the shot to prevent anything bad from happening. Is there a shot for humans yet? Wish the dog could be trained to pick ticks off of his human friends.

Here is a throwback to last summer when I got a tick bite. Read that story here. Warning, the photo is graphic, as in 'not a pretty sight'

That photo gives me goosebumps as I recall the thought when I discovered the bite

Am I going to get Lyme Disease?

If it happens to you, get to the doctor right away and get on that medication to hopefully avoid Lyme Disease, not to mention other serious diseases.

How to Remove a Tick

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to your skin’s surface as possible.

Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or jerk the tick which could cause the tick to break apart leaving parts in your skin.

Dispose of the tick.

A piece of tape will work too, and you can squeeze the life out of the tick which is trapped on the sticky side of the tape.

Ticks are a fact of life in Maine and about half of them are carrying diseases. Be safe.