You Won’t Be Happy To Hear That Maine Is Experiencing A Major Surge Of Ticks This Year

Spring is here and summer is on the way. That means a lot more time outdoors with all sorts of ways that we can experience the lush forests and hiking trails of Maine. But there's another thing that happens here when the warmer weather arrives. Ticks become a significantly bigger worry and this year Vacationland is poised to see more than ever.

Anyone who's spent any real time in Maine during the spring and summer knows that it's enticing to spend all day walking through the woods and getting lost on a path.

But we also know that ticks come out in full force this time of year.

Tick season has arrived in Maine, with varying degrees in different parts of the state.

Southern Maine is deep in nymph season, while areas north of Bangor have still not reached peak. Nymphs are quite dangerous because they're nearly impossible to see on the body until they've attached themselves and filled with blood. Gross!

But, no matter where you are spring and summer this year will see a surge in ticks and we have our winter weather to blame.

Deer ticks attach themselves to mice and birds, which means they can travel fast.

There are 14 types of ticks in Maine. The two you'll see most often are Dog ticks, which don't carry tick bourne illnesses and deer ticks, which do.

They both look very similar, which can make determining if you're in danger very hard. It's best to avoid all ticks.

According to modernpest.com, Female deer ticks are brown or reddish-orange, with a dark brown or black area just behind the head.

Female dog ticks have an intricate hexagonal dark area above the head of a female.

It's also important to remember that pets can carry ticks. Even those treated with anti-tick medication.

Because the medication doesn't kill the tick immediately, there's time for them to be brought into the house and dropped only to find their way to your skin.

Snowy conditions that lasted late into the spring helped to insulate the ground, giving ticks a nice comfortable place to hide out all winter.

With the snow nearly all melted these ticks are now able to resume their activity, finding hosts for meals.

It's best to prevent tick bites, but if you do find one you'll want to act fast.

While most people believe that a bullseye rash is the best indication for Lyme Disease, it actually only shows up in about 30% of cases. So you should always get checked by a doctor's blood test if you find one. Don't assume you're in the clear if no rash appears.

If you do find a tick embedded, be sure to remove it carefully with a set of tweezers.

Burning them will cause them to release their diseases. Also be sure to get the head as well. Pulling the tick off, but leaving the head can also lead to the release of disease.

This may all sound daunting but the best thing you can do is prevent tick bites.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself from ticks and the illnesses they carry. Remember that ticks not only carry Lyme Disease, but also a variety of other diseases. These can lead to co-infections along with Lyme. Always tuck your pants into your socks when you go outside and put your hair into a hat. When you get back inside, take a hot shower. Check your hairline, groin and behind the knees and elbows. Click here for more ways to prevent tick bites and information on what to do if you've found a tick.

We think ticks are the worst, but here are 10 more bugs you'll find in Maine. Luckily, we don't have anything poisonous!