Spring is one of the best times to be outside in Maine. Warmer weather brings gardening, hiking, youth sports, yard cleanup, and more opportunities to enjoy time outdoors with family, friends, and pets. It also brings seasonal health risks that are easy to miss.
Right now, two common concerns are ticks and browntail moth hairs and. They are very different hazards, but they share some important things in common: both are active in spring, both can affect your health, and both present risks that can often be reduced through simple preventive habits.
A little preparation before going outside, and a few steps afterward, can help protect you and your loved ones throughout the season.
Simple Habits Can Reduce Exposure
Whether you are raking leaves, walking the dog, coaching a game, gardening, or heading out on the trail, prevention does not need to be complicated. Many of the same behaviors that lower exposure to one seasonal risk can also help lower exposure to another.
Creating a simple outdoor routine can make a meaningful difference.
Shared Prevention Habits
Before, during, and after time outside:
- Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when practical
- Stay on cleared paths and avoid tall grass or dense vegetation
- Shower after spending time outdoors
- Change clothes after outdoor activity
- Check skin for irritation or ticks
These small steps can quickly become second nature and are especially helpful during spring and early summer.
Know the Hidden Risks Outdoors
Not all outdoor hazards are obvious. Some are easy to overlook because they are small, hidden, or left behind in the environment.
- Microscopic browntail moth hairs that remain on surfaces or in debris
- Ticks in grass, brush, leaf litter, and wooded edges
- Exposure during routine activities such as mowing, raking, gardening, hiking, or yard cleanup
Knowing where exposure can happen is one of the best ways to prevent it.
Ticks: What to Know
Why It Matters
Ticks are active now and can carry germs that can make you sick including Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases. Because ticks can be very small and difficult to notice, regular checks of yourself, your family members, and your pets are important.
Where Exposure Happens
Ticks are commonly found in:
- Tall grass
- Brushy areas
- Leaf litter
- Wooded trails
- Edges of lawns and gardens
You do not need to be deep in the woods to encounter ticks. Many exposures happen close to home.
Additional Protection Steps
To lower tick risk:
- Use an EPA-registered repellent as directed
- Tuck pants into socks when in higher-risk areas
- Perform a full-body tick check after outdoor activity
- Check children carefully, including hairline, behind ears, under arms, and behind knees
- Check pets for ticks and use veterinarian-recommended protection
- Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick spoon
- Watch for bull's eye rash, fever, fatigue, or flu-like symptoms after a bite and contact a health care provider if symptoms develop
- Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 15 minutes before washing to kill ticks
Browntail Moth: What to Know
Why It Matters
Browntail moth caterpillars have toxic hairs that can cause uncomfortable reactions. Contact with these hairs may lead to:
- Itchy, irritated rash similar to poison ivy
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory discomfort or difficulty breathing for some individuals
Even after caterpillars are no longer visible, hairs can remain in the environment and continue to cause irritation.
Where Exposure Happens
Exposure often occurs during outdoor cleanup or activities that disturb contaminated material, including:
- Under infested trees
- In leaves, brush, bark, or woodpiles
- While mowing, raking, sweeping, or trimming that stirs hairs into the air
Additional Protection Steps
If browntail moth activity is present in your area:
- Wet down areas before raking or sweeping to reduce airborne hairs
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection
- Consider a mask during cleanup activities
- Avoid hanging laundry outdoors near infested areas
- Use extra caution on dry or windy days
- Wash outdoor clothing promptly
- Consult local guidance or licensed professionals for removal options
Make Prevention Routine
Wherever you go this spring, keep in mind these tips for protection. A few simple habits before and after outdoor activity can significantly reduce risk. Before going outside, dress for the environment, use repellent, and bring gloves for yardwork or gardening. After coming inside, shower, change clothes, and check skin for ticks or irritation. It is also helpful to check children and pets after time outdoors. Around the home, keep grass cut, reduce brush and leaf litter, and use caution in areas where ticks and browntail moths may be found.
Enjoy Spring with Confidence
The Maine outdoors is one of the greatest parts of spring. With greater awareness of seasonal risks and a few practical habits, individuals and families can spend more time outside with greater comfort and confidence.
Spring should be about enjoying the season. A little prevention can help keep it that way.