Tick Season & Lyme Disease Prevention: What to Know About Tick Bites, Testing, and Natural Support

As the weather warms and we begin spending more time outside, tick season also begins to pick up. Whether you’re gardening, walking the dog, hiking, playing in the yard, or simply enjoying the longer days, it’s helpful to know what to look for and what to do if you find a tick.

Ticks are found across the United States, and the specific risks can vary depending on where you live. Here in Maine, late spring and early summer are especially important because this is when nymph ticks are most active. Nymph ticks are extremely small—often about the size of a pinhead or poppy seed—which makes them very easy to miss. They are also responsible for the majority of Lyme disease transmission.

In this guide, we’ll cover what to know about tick season, Lyme disease prevention, proper tick removal, testing options, and supportive care to consider if a bite occurs.

Deer Ticks vs. Dog Ticks

In Maine and New Hampshire, there are several types of ticks, but the one we worry most about is the deer tick, also known as the blacklegged tick. Dog ticks are often easier to spot because they are larger, but deer ticks are smaller and are responsible for most cases of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in this region.

Ticks can also carry multiple pathogens at once, meaning a single bite has the potential to transmit more than one infection. These may include Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, Anaplasma, Borrelia miyamotoi, and, in rare cases, Powassan virus.

When Are Ticks Most Active?

Tick activity varies across the United States depending on climate, region, tick species, and season. In many areas, ticks can be active any time temperatures are above freezing, so prevention is worth keeping in mind beyond just the warmer months. The CDC notes that blacklegged ticks are widely distributed across the eastern U.S., with the greatest risk of bites occurring in spring, summer, and fall.

Here in Maine and much of the Northeast, nymph ticks are most active from May through July. This is considered a higher-risk time of year because nymph ticks are tiny, easy to miss, and active during the same season when many of us are spending more time outdoors.

In other parts of the country, the timing and primary tick species may look different. For example, Lone Star ticks are widely distributed across the Northeast, South, and Midwest, while western blacklegged ticks are more common along the Pacific Coast.

Adult blacklegged ticks tend to be more active in the fall and early spring, and may search for a host any time winter temperatures are above freezing. Larvae are generally more active later in the summer.

The takeaway: in Maine, late spring and early summer are especially important because nymph ticks are small, active, and difficult to detect. But no matter where you live, it’s helpful to know your local tick season, check for ticks after time outdoors, and stay aware whenever conditions are warm enough for ticks to be active.

How Long Does It Take a Tick to Transmit Infection?

According to the CDC, Lyme disease typically requires more than 24 hours of attachment in most cases. However, ILADS notes that transmission may occur earlier than the commonly cited timeframe and emphasizes that there is no guaranteed “safe” attachment window.

The longer a tick is attached, the greater the risk of transmission. However, transmission may occur sooner than previously thought. This is why it’s important to remove ticks promptly, save the tick when possible, and monitor for symptoms after a bite.

What To Do If You Find a Tick

If you find a tick, taking a few simple steps early can make a big difference.

1. Remove the tick immediately

Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight out with steady, even pressure. Avoid twisting, burning, using oils, or squeezing the body of the tick.

2. Clean the bite site

Wash well with soap and water, then disinfect the area.

3. Save the tick

Place the tick in a sealed plastic bag or small container. Do not add any liquid. It is okay if the tick dies.

Label the bag with:

• Date the tick was removed

• Location on the body

• Estimated time attached, if known

Tick testing is done using DNA from the tick, so keeping the tick dry and storing it in the freezer can help preserve the sample.

4. Consider tick testing or identification

Testing the tick can provide helpful information about what it may have been carrying and can help guide next steps. Tick testing is not a diagnosis, but it can support more informed conversations with your healthcare provider.

If you’re unsure what type of tick it is, you can take a clear photo and submit it to TickEncounter Resource Center’s TickSpotters service for free tick identification and guidance.

5. Reach out to your healthcare provider

Let your healthcare provider know about the bite. In some cases, early antibiotic treatment may be recommended.

Supportive Tick Bite Protocols

These are supportive measures used early after a bite to help the body respond. They are not a substitute for medical care.

Systemic Support

• Echinacea Tincture: 1 dropper, 3–4 times daily for up to 2 weeks

• Ledum 30C: 5 pellets, 3 times daily for 3–4 days

• Astragalus: follow label dosing or practitioner guidance

• Lightning Pearls: 3–4 capsules, 3 times daily for short-term support

Topical Support

• Colloidal silver gel

• Manuka honey, diluted

• Lavender, rosemary, or calendula essential oils in a carrier oil

How to Avoid Ticks

A few simple prevention habits can make time outdoors feel a little easier and more protected.

Common repellent recommendations include:

• Permethrin for clothing, shoes, and gear — not for use on skin

• DEET or picaridin for exposed skin

• Natural options like Cedarcide or 2-undecanone

It’s also helpful to check yourself, children, and pets after spending time outdoors, especially after yard work, gardening, hiking, or time in tall grass or wooded areas. Pay close attention to warm, hidden areas like behind the knees, around the waistband, underarms, scalp, and behind the ears.

A Final Note

Most tick bites do not lead to illness, but staying aware and taking early steps is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family.

These supportive approaches are intended to help the body respond and are not a substitute for antibiotics or medical treatment, particularly in early or acute cases where medical treatment may be indicated.

If you find a tick, develop symptoms, or have concerns after a bite, consult your healthcare provider.

Sources & Helpful Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tickborne Diseases

• CDC: Lyme Disease Transmission and Prevention

• University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Center

• TickEncounter TickSpotters

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab

• University of New Hampshire Tick Testing

• ILADS: Lyme Disease Guidelines and Educational Resources

• IGeneX Tick Testing