Page 9 - Forest Trees of Maine

The fruit is a globose, slightly compressed, thin-fleshed, ivory white or tawny
1
white berry, about / inch in diameter; it is borne in loose, pendent axillary clusters
5
that ripen in September, but persist on the tree far into winter.
TICKS
About 13 different species of ticks live in Maine. One of these species, the deer
tick (Ixodes scapularis) can transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Lyme
disease frequently starts with a rash and flu-like symptoms, and if untreated may
progress to neurological problems.
Ticks are most common in coastal and south-central Maine. When going
into the woods in areas known to have high tick populations, it is wise to take some
precautions to help avoid tick bites. For example:
• Tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants.
• Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be seen more easily.
• Use a repellent containing DEET according the label directions. Pay special
attention to treating shoes, socks and pant legs. Use caution in applying high-
concentration products to the skin, especially on children.
• To protect pets, consult your veterinarian about tick repellents.
• Inspect yourself, your clothing, your children, your companion and your pets
when you get in from the field. Ticks often attach to body folds, behind the
ears and in the hair. If possible, shower and wash clothes immediately. Heat
drying is effective in killing ticks.
Prompt removal of ticks from skin is very important.To remove a tick, grasp
it as close to the skin as possible, preferably with tweezers, and pull gently but firm-
ly until the tick lets go. Do not handle the tick with bare hands. Apply antiseptic
to the bite. You should consult your physician if you develop a large rash at the site
of the tick bite or if you remove an engorged deer tick.
For more information on ticks, visit the Maine Medical Center Research
Institute Vector-borne Disease Laboratory’s Lyme disease research Website:
www.mmcri.org/lyme/lymehome.html.

Dog Tick Deer Tick

Male Male

Distribution
of submitted
deer ticks
1989-2006
Female
Female

A FEW PR EC A U T IONS 7