Press Herald talks with Dill about tick season
The Portland Press Herald spoke with Griffin Dill, integrated pest management professional and manager of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, about this year’s tick season, which is expected to be worse than usual. “The 2020 tick season has gotten off to an early start. With frequent warm stretches during January and February, ticks were sporadically active throughout the winter and became particularly active during March,” said Dill. “Tick submissions to the lab have been much higher than last year, which may be a combined result of suitable weather for ticks and more people recreating outside due to COVID-19 restrictions.” Southern and coastal Maine, particularly the midcoast region, seem to have high tick activity and relatively high rates of infection, according to Dill. He recommends that everyone do tick checks when they come in from being outdoors. “Whether it is for a long hike or simply a walk to the mailbox, (people) should be thoroughly checking themselves for ticks,” he said.