Even in a pandemic, it is still tick season. Here's how to protect yourself.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. It is the perfect time to reconnect with the great outdoors and, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, state officials are still recommending that Mainers take in some nature. 

The state’s Stay Healthy at Home mandate may remain in effect, but walking, hiking, running, and biking have been deemed essential personal activities that can continue as long as people take proper social distancing precautions. 

But before taking to the trails, it is important to note that tick season is beginning to take shape. And, like the face masks we wear and the hand-washing we do to protect us from the novel coronavirus, there are several precautions to take that will help protect us from contracting diseases like Lyme, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis.

“There are some very specific, concrete, and successful things you can do to prevent exposure to tick-borne disease,” said Charles B. Lubelczyk, M.P.H. ’18, a vector ecologist at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory.

Lubelczyk said the best protection from tick bites is a combination of insect repellent, such as permethrin, and protective clothing.

“Ticks cannot burrow through even the thinnest of fabrics, so long-sleeved shirts and long pants treated with repellent are going to be fantastic,” he advised. 

Lubelczyk recommended people wear light-colored pants and shirts because ticks will more visible than against them than darker colors. He also said deer ticks in particular will be easy to spot this time of year, and will be about the size of an apple seed.

It is important to take all precautions necessary, and Lubelczyk cautioned people to consider seriously the threat ticks can present even if they are feeling worn out over the constant barrage of news surrounding COVID-19.

“People may be so fatigued by the COVID-19 issue that they may not pay attention if we end up having a very bad tick or mosquito season,” Lubelczyk said. “Maine is a beautiful state, and we want people to enjoy the outside, but it is important to actually take the steps to protect themselves.”

That said, it may be too soon to tell how serious this year’s tick season will be.

Weather governs the severity of tick season, Lubelczyk said. If there is more rain throughout the remainder of springtime, an increased number of ticks and mosquitoes will be active in the state’s wooded areas. But, if the state does not see much precipitation through May, a dry start to the summer could stave off ticks that can cause illness. 

It is also important for people to check their pets for ticks, especially if those pets are often in and out of the house.

“Even if people themselves are not going out as much as they want to stay inside, pets that are going outside can certainly bring ticks into their homes, as well,” Lubelczyk said. “Pets can jump onto furniture and then the ticks can crawl off and get onto us. It is important to do tick checks often and use proper anti-tick and flea medications on your animals."