WABI, Sun Journal interview Dill about ticks, other pests
WABI (Channel 5) spoke with Griffin Dill, an integrated pest management professional with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for the second part of its series “Fighting Lyme disease.” Dill said the tick population and reported cases of tick-borne diseases are increasing in Maine. “It’s a more forested state with human development mixed in, so it’s kind of created the perfect habitat for ticks, as well as their wildlife hosts,” he said. Dill cautioned that people don’t have to change their lifestyle, but it is important to take some simple precautions, like treating clothing and gear with repellents, such as permethrin. “We want people to be aware of ticks but not afraid,” he said. “We want people to go outside.” Dill also spoke with the Sun Journal for the article, “Rainy spring has produced a bumper crop of ticks, black flies and mosquitoes.” Dill said this spring has been abnormal. “The winter lasted longer than usual. That pushes back the timeline for insects like ticks,” he said. With a delayed start to the pest season, multiple species are emerging at the same time, the article states. “Wet weather creates great breeding times for mosquitoes and ticks,” Dill said. Journal Tribune and Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel carried the Sun Journal article.