10/19/2026
Cooler temperatures don't mean tick season is over. As Islanders spend more time outdoors raking leaves, hiking, and closing up yards for the season, ticks remain just as active, and just as easy to overlook.
A few reminders before you head outside:
Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, and tuck pants into socks when working in leaves or brush. Wear light-colored clothing to make ticks easier to spot. Use an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin.
After coming inside, do a full-body tick check, paying close attention to the scalp, behind the ears, underarms, and behind the knees. Toss clothes in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes to kill any hitchhiking ticks, and shower soon after being outdoors.
If you find a tick or notice symptoms like fever, rash, fatigue, or joint pain, don't wait. Reach out to our Express Care and Tick Clinic at (508) 684-4500.