Record Tick Season on Lower Shore

Salisbury, Md. — It’s been a record tick season on the shore.

Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist with the National Pest Management Association, said, “As the summer progresses, we always see more ticks. Now, when the weather is especially warm and wet, that creates the perfect conditions for ticks to thrive.”

A common misconception is that ticks are only a seasonal concern. In fact, ticks live all year long, and most tick species can live up to two years. Emily Zobel, an agriculture and food systems agent with University of Maryland Extension, added another misconception.

“I know there is a misunderstanding that ticks fall down from trees, but they don’t,” Zobel said. “They tend to be in leaf litter and shrubbery.”

Fredericks shared what the community can do to avoid tick bites.

“First of all, and probably most important, when you’re in an area where ticks are active, make sure you’re wearing a repellent,” he said. “Check the label to ensure it’s EPA-registered for ticks, and follow the instructions to use it properly.”

Officials also recommend wearing long sleeves and light-colored clothes, using a lint roller on your clothing to pick up any ticks, and washing clothes on hot after coming indoors.

If you are bitten, Zobel said, “Don’t use rubbing alcohol, Vaseline, nail polish remover, a hot match or an ice cube. You don’t need to cool down the tweezers. Just use a good pair of sharp tweezers and pull straight out.”