Deer, dog ticks are abundant in Maine right now. Here’s what to do about them.

Maine residents are seeing a lot of ticks right now – in their backyards, on hikes, but also even in unusual places like crawling on porches or playground equipment.

The reason: The two most predominant ticks in Maine, the deer tick and dog tick, are both in the adult stage of their life cycle.

“We have multiple species all active right now,” said Griffin Dill, manager of the Tick Lab at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “It gives the impression that we are inundated with ticks.”

Dog ticks have a broader habitat range than deer ticks, and are more noticeable to humans, Dill said. Deer ticks are a public health hazard, transmitting Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to humans. Dog ticks are considered more of a nuisance than a health threat. While it’s possible for a dog tick to transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, there have not been any confirmed cases in Maine.

Maine reported a record 4,257 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, and 946 cases through June 9, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Deer ticks dry out more easily, so if they are exposed to sunlight and wind, they can’t maintain moisture, which is why they will more likely be under leaves or in the woods,” Dill said. “The dog tick is much hardier, and you’ll see them crawling in open fields and lawns. You could even see one when walking down your gravel driveway to pick up the mail.”

Dill said adult dog ticks will be prevalent through early August, when they will start to die off. Adult deer ticks will still be present for the next few weeks before dying off, but deer ticks in the nymphal stage, which are difficult to see but can still attach to hosts, will be abundant in July, he said.

Dill said Maine gets a short reprieve from ticks in August, especially if it’s dry, but the adult deer ticks will be prevalent again in the fall.

How can you tell if it’s a dog tick or a deer tick?

Deer ticks have a red-orange body, with a large black area near the head, and black legs. Dog ticks have a reddish-brown body and legs, with grayish-white marks on their back.

How do I submit a tick for identification?

To submit a tick to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Tick Lab, fill out a tick submission form on the website, put the tick into a bag that can be closed or other sealed container. Ship the sample to the UMaine Extension Diagnostic & Research Lab, Attn: Tick Lab, 17 Godfrey Drive, Orono, ME, 04473-3692.

How do I avoid ticks?

Before going outdoors, apply tick repellant, wear long-sleeved clothing when hiking, and tuck pants into socks, according to the Maine CDC. Once inside, check clothing for ticks and put clothes immediately into the dryer on high heat when returning. Experts also recommend watching for ticks when moving firewood or raking leaves, and doing tick checks, including on pets.

If a tick is attached to me, what do I do?

Remove the tick with tweezers by pulling slowly in an upward direction. The deer tick needs to be attached for at least 24 hours before transmitting tick-borne diseases, but not everyone gets the bullseye rash that is common after a bite, so go to your primary care provider for treatment. If caught early, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can be treated with antibiotics.

Common symptoms of Lyme disease are fatigue, joint pain, headaches and fever.

Are deer ticks everywhere in Maine?

With climate change, the deer tick has expanded its range, and Lyme disease cases are now being reported in all 16 counties. However, deer ticks are more prevalent along the coast, especially Midcoast Maine.