If you have a pet or child that likes to play outdoors, you are probably familiar with ticks. But, contradictory to popular belief, a tick is actually an arachnid, not an insect.

Ticks are the second most common carrier of diseases (mosquitoes being the first). It is estimated that 70% of all Lyme Disease cases are caused by tick bites from ticks in our own yards, often via pets. So tick prevention and control are very important. Some species of ticks are more harmful than others and some are more likely to carry deadly diseases, and we discuss that too.

Emily Bracale was sitting in a chair in College of the Atlantic’s Edith H. Blum Gallery in Bar Harbor, talking about the difficulties people with Lyme disease sometimes have in convincing a doctor they need treatment.

It’s springtime and, for most people, that means it’s time to go outside and enjoy the weather.

Spring represents a time of growth and renewal a ‘ but not everything that springs forth this season is good for dogs.