Tick season is here: What you need to know to prevent tick-borne illness
July 27, 2026
Bangor, ME - Tick activity has reached the highest levels in the U.S. in nearly a decade, with northern New England states experiencing the highest spike in cases. For every 100,000 emergency department visits, 105 nationwide, and 189 in the U.S. Northeast (a group of states that extends from Virginia to Maine) are due to tick bites, as of April, according to the CDC Tick Tracker.
ConvenientMD Primary Care providers have compiled tips to help people stay safe and healthy while enjoying the outdoors this summer. They recommend following the proper methods of prevention, learning how to identify potential symptoms of tick-borne illnesses, and knowing what steps to take if you’ve been bitten by a tick.
Minimize Exposure
“Ticks are extremely hardy, and you can be exposed to them almost anywhere,” said ConvenientMD Primary Care provider Anne Perkins-Gaspar, FNP-C. “However, there are certain outdoor activities where ticks are especially prevalent, and you should exercise extra caution to prevent exposure. These activities can include hiking, camping, gardening, interacting with pets or animals outdoors or walking near grassy, brushy or wooded areas.”
Perkins-Gasper is a provider at ConvenientMD Primary Care in Bangor, Maine. She recommends taking the following precautions to prevent tick exposure:
- Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes directly after an outdoor activity to kill any ticks that may be on your clothes.
- Check your pets for ticks after they have been outside, paying close attention to inside the ears and between the toes.
- Wear light-colored long pants and long sleeves to prevent ticks from latching onto your skin. Light-colored fabric makes it easier for you to spot if a tick has attached itself to your clothing. Also, tucking your pants into your socks offers an extra layer of protection from ticks crawling into your pantlegs.
- Use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET or Picaridin when participating in outdoor activities where ticks are common. You may also treat clothing and outdoor gear with products containing permethrin to repel ticks.
Signs and Symptoms
“It is important to educate yourself on the early signs of tick-borne illness because symptoms can be similar to cold- or flu-like illnesses,” said Perkins-Gaspar. “If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, check yourself for ticks or signs of tick bites, especially if you have been enjoying the outdoors recently.”
Symptoms may include:
- Bullseye rash, or any rash greater than four centimeters in diameter
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Swollen glands
When examining yourself for potential tick bites, Perkins-Gaspar says you should pay close attention to your underarms, around and inside your ears, the backs of your knees, your scalp, belly button and between your legs. If you do find a tick that has latched on, you must remove it correctly as soon as possible to decrease the possibility of contracting a tick-borne illness.
Safe Tick Removal
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure—do not twist or jerk.
- Clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
- Dispose of the tick by submerging it in alcohol, sealing it in a bag, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers.
When to Contact a Medical Provider
“Ensuring you receive early evaluation by a medical provider is essential to preventing further complications and health issues – you should never wait for symptoms to worsen before seeking care,” said Perkins-Gaspar.
ConvenientMD Primary Care suggests you contact your medical provider if you notice that a tick has bitten you and you think it could have been attached for more than 24 to 36 hours, if you are experiencing the early symptoms of tick-borne illness following outdoor activities, or if you develop a rash after a tick bite. Even if you are unsure whether your symptoms could be related to a recent tick bite, it is still important to reach out to your medical provider to rule out the possibility of tick-borne illness.
Tick-borne illnesses often require follow-up care with a primary care provider, as well as ongoing monitoring of symptoms. Having an established relationship with a primary care provider can help ensure timely medical guidance, appropriate testing, and continuity of care when health concerns arise.
ConvenientMD Primary Care’s unique approach to practice offers patients easier access to appointments as well as longer appointments that last 30 to 60 minutes, allowing patients to receive personalized attention in a more relaxed setting.
To learn more about ConvenientMD Primary Care offerings and providers, or to sign up to become a patient, please visit convenientmd.com/primary-care.
If you’re dealing with a tick bite or experiencing symptoms of a tick-borne illness, ConvenientMD Urgent Care providers can evaluate your symptoms, remove ticks safely and recommend next steps for care.
Caption: ConvenientMD Primary Care provider Anne Perkins-Gaspar, FNP-C, at the Bangor, Maine, primary care practice, and other providers compiled several tips to help the public stay safe and healthy amid an active tick season.
ConvenientMD Primary Care is transforming how patients experience primary and preventive care. Launched in 2022, ConvenientMD Primary Care is designed to be more accessible, supportive, and affordable, offering a modern approach centered on prevention, personal health goals, and long‑term wellness. ConvenientMD also operates 50 urgent care clinics across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, making high‑quality, convenient care available when patients need it most. Its urgent care centers deliver fast, affordable treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and provide an advanced array of services, including X‑rays, labs, occupational health, and virtual care.
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