Frequently Asked Questions

Why are so many people worried about ticks now?

The prevalence of ticks in Maine has caused increasing concerns among health experts due to the rapid rise in vector-borne diseases such as Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis, Tularemia, Powassan, and other illnesses. Lyme Disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, is one of the biggest concerns. This is not only because its infection rate is increasing, but also because of its lifelong debilitating effects if gone undiagnosed and untreated. Lyme affects people differently due in part to age, overall health, etc, but can be very serious to anyone if it goes untreated. Ixodes scapularis, the Deer Tick (also called the Blacklegged Tick), is the primary carrier of this disease, and can easily infect a person without them even knowing they’ve been bit (as was the case with me). The threat is not confined to just rural areas- in 2021 the University of Maine Cooperative Extension reported that nearly half of all Deer ticks they tested in Portland were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme.

The Deer Tick is also a carrier of Powassan virus, which can be very serious, and sometimes fatal, if gone untreated in the first few days following the onset of symptoms. There have been three deaths in Maine from this virus since 2015.

Another common tick in Maine is the Dermacentor variabilis, or Dog Tick (also known as the Wood Tick). While this tick does not carry Lyme disease, it is a vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be very serious. Fortunately, reported diagnoses of RMSF are rare in Maine.

What is involved in a residential spray program?

A typical treatment program involves a seasonal series of perimeter spray applications using an industry-standard commercial grade product. This consists of up to four separate applications at regular intervals between early spring and late fall. This method is standard throughout the tick control profession, and is designed to effectively control the population during the various phases of the tick life cycle (egg, larva, nymph, and adult).

Are four spray applications required?

A spray application lasts approximately 6-8 weeks. Therefore, a four-spray program beginning in the spring is the most thorough, effective method of tick control here in the northeastern United States, and highly recommended for the best results. However, for clients who may be on a stricter budget, I can tailor applications. I do not do contracts, and am happy to work with clients to accommodate their needs. Also, I do not “upsell” clients more applications than I feel they need. I’m a small, local owner-operator with no “bottom line” to meet.

How much does it cost?

The cost is primarily determined by the size of your yard. A quote, which is free, involves a visit to your house to take a perimeter measurement and assess any unique considerations (gardens, streams, ponds, and other sensitive areas.) A quote will then be provided to you that will always be at or less than industry-standard charges. You pay nothing until after each application. I purposely take on a very limited number of clients, and cater exclusively to them in any way I can. Because of my unique situation, I am able to be extremely flexible and competitive. If the big pest control companies have left you feeling like just another number, contact me- you‘ll be surprised what I can do for you.

How safe is it?

The product I use is among the lowest in toxicity to people and pets of most any commercial pest control product on the market. It has been authorized for use by the Environmental Protection Agency since they first approved its use in 1985. It is a water-based solution that is a synthetic variation of Pyrethrum, which is an organic compound that comes from Chrysanthemum flowers. This same synthetic is used in certain dog shampoos. It is widely used in the industry and regarded as both safe and effective. This is my product of choice based on both its effectiveness on pests and its low toxicity to people and pets. I strictly adhere to all rules and regulations set forth by the Maine Board of Pesticides Control, including full support of and adherence to the Maine Pesticide Notification Registry. On a personal note, I put nothing on my clients’ yards that I don’t also put on my own.

How soon after treatment will my yard be safe to enter?

While factors such as temperature and humidity will make re-entry times vary, the drying period for this product is very fast, usually under an hour. To be safe, I advise clients to wait 2 hours before utilizing their yards. It’s important to note that tick control applications do not involve spraying your entire yard, just the perimeter and any other specific areas that may harbor ticks. This not only controls ticks coming onto your property, but also targets the areas where current ones habituate the most (under leaves, in unmowed areas, etc).

Will all the ticks on my property be eradicated?

Complete eradication of a species is never a goal of any legitimate pest control program, and you should be wary of anyone who promises total elimination of any pest. Us Commercial Applicators are in the business of control, not extinction (in addition to being federally illegal, any extinction effort of ticks would also be virtually impossible given the billions upon billions of ticks that currently exist, and their staggering annual exponential reproduction rates.) On average, a client can expect at least an 85-90% reduction of their property’s pest population within an hour following an application. When you combine that with the regular use of tick repellants, tick checks, and other preventative measures, you have implemented the best at-home defense for your family, including your pets, from tick-borne diseases.

Where can I learn more about ticks, Lyme, and other vector-borne diseases?

Obviously, there’s no shortage of information, both good and bad, on the internet. We recommend starting locally with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (https://extension.umaine.edu/). They are extremely knowledgeable and are regularly updating their database with current information. Their tick lab issues regular reports on their monitoring programs throughout the state, and they are a great source of accurate, reliable data. Since they are focused on Maine, they have the most relevant information to those of us who live, work, and play here.

Further questions? Contact me!