If you live in New England, you already know: ticks are part of life here. Massachusetts consistently has some of the highest rates of tick-borne illness in the country. For more than nine years, our family and close community have relied on a simple, field-ready routine for ticks. The approach is the way sailors treat weather: not fear, but preparation.
When are ticks active?
Longer than most people think. The main species of concern here is the blacklegged tick, or deer tick (Ixodes scapularis).
- Late spring and summer (May–July): peak season for nymphs. They're about the size of a poppy seed, easy to miss, and responsible for most tick-borne infections.
- Fall (October–November): a second peak for adult ticks, right when people are out hiking, hunting and raking leaves.
- Winter: adult deer ticks can be active on any day above freezing. A mild January afternoon is not tick-free.
Other species you'll meet include the American dog tick and, increasingly, the lone star tick, which has been spreading north.
Where ticks live
Ticks don't jump or fly. They wait on the tips of grass and low brush, and climb onto whatever brushes past. That's called "questing." The riskiest places are tall grass, leaf litter, brushy edges between lawns and woods, stone walls, and woodpiles.
Before you go out
- Dress for it. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Wear long pants tucked into your socks, and long sleeves.
- Treat your gear. The CDC recommends clothing and gear treated with 0.5% permethrin. Never apply permethrin to skin.
- Use a repellent. The CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents. If you prefer a plant-based option, our TicKicker is an essential oil spray made with lemon eucalyptus, geranium, red cedar, yellow cypress, myrica and marjoram oils. Apply it to skin and clothing before heading out, and reapply often.
- Stay in the middle of trails, away from the grass and brush at the edges.
When you come back in
- Check your gear and pets. Ticks hitch rides on backpacks, jackets and dogs.
- Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes or more to kill any ticks.
- Shower within two hours of coming indoors.
- Do a full-body tick check. Use a mirror, and pay close attention to the places ticks like: behind the ears, the hairline and scalp, the neck, under the arms, inside the belly button, around the waist, behind the knees, and between the legs. For kids, do the check for them.
How to remove a tick
If you find one, don't panic, and don't reach for folk remedies like matches, nail polish or petroleum jelly. They waste time and can make things worse. Remove it promptly:
- Use a dedicated tick removal tool (following its instructions) or fine-tipped tweezers.
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin's surface as possible.
- Remove it with steady, even pressure. Don't squeeze the tick's body.
- Clean the bite and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.
- Put the tick in a sealed bag or tape it to a card, and note the date. It helps a doctor if you develop symptoms. You can also take a photo for identification.
My Tick Kit
My Tick Kit brings together the tools and products our family has trusted for years into one compact, organized pouch. Each kit includes:
- Tick Twister® tick removal tool
- Medical-grade Adson forceps (precision tweezers)
- Recovery Clay and an application spatula
- Tick Response Roller
- Ledum 200C
- Tick identification and instruction card
- Alcohol wipes
- A compact, field-ready storage pouch
It's designed for hikers, campers, gardeners, hunters, families and pet owners. Our first production run is limited to 100 kits.
What to watch for afterward
For the next 30 days after a tick bite, watch for:
- an expanding red rash, sometimes with a "bull's-eye" look, at the bite or elsewhere,
- fever, chills, fatigue, headache, or muscle and joint aches.
If any of these appear, see a healthcare provider promptly and tell them about the bite. Also call your doctor right after a bite if the tick was attached for a while or was engorged. In some cases preventive treatment is recommended within 72 hours of removal. Early care matters with tick-borne illness.
Don't forget the dogs
Dogs pick up ticks constantly and carry them indoors. Check them after every walk, especially around the ears, neck and between the toes. Ask your vet about tick prevention.
Shop this guide: My Tick Kit · TicKicker · Aspic · Jewel Spray · Topicals
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. If you're concerned about a tick bite, contact a healthcare provider.
Photo: Black-legged tick by jrcagle, licensed under CC BY 4.0.