Ticks don’t go away just because summer is over. Here in Maine, fall is actually when adult deer ticks are most active. These are the same ones that spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. They will keep moving until we get a solid hard frost, and even then a warm winter day can bring them back out. This year Maine also confirmed a new invasive species called the Asian longhorned tick, which makes staying alert this fall even more important.

The Asian Longhorned Tick

This tick is small, aggressive, and concerning for a couple reasons:

• Female ticks can reproduce without mating, which means just one tick can lead to hundreds more.
• In other parts of the world, they’ve been linked to diseases like ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and even Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• While no cases in Maine have been connected to them yet, experts are keeping a close eye on how this tick spreads.

The same prevention steps you’d take against deer ticks also protect you from this newcomer.

Tick Activity Through the Seasons

• Fall (now): Adult deer ticks are most active and looking for a final blood meal before winter.
• Winter: Ticks don’t completely die off. On warm days above 35°F, they can still attach to people or pets.
• Spring: Nymphs emerge. These are poppy-seed sized and the hardest to see — but they’re the biggest source of tick-borne disease.
• Summer: Larvae hatch. They’re pinhead-sized and usually not carrying disease yet, but nymphs and adults are still active.

Simple Ways to Protect Yourself

• Use tick repellents and wear long sleeves and pants outdoors. White socks over your pantlegs when working outdoors.
• Check yourself, your kids, and your pets after time outside.
• Keep lawns trimmed and clean up leaf litter to reduce tick habitat.
• Talk with your vet about tick prevention for your pets.
• Inspect your body and shower soon after being outside and toss clothes in a hot dryer.

Protecting Your Family Year-Round

Ticks are a part of life in Maine, but you don’t have to let them take over your property. Since 1986, we’ve been helping Maine families enjoy their yards with less worry about pests. Our Tick Management Program targets ticks through every stage of their lifecycle, keeping your property safer for your family and pets.

Plan ahead for 2026: Sign up now and save 10% on next year’s program — and keep that discount as long as you stay on. It’s one of the best steps you can take for peace of mind year-round.