Your Health and Your Backyard

Are you finding ticks on yourself, your children, or pets in your own yard? 

Come learn what you can do! The threat posed by ticks here in our own state continues to endanger families, pets, and outdoor enthusiasts.  In 2024, cases of Lyme disease hit a record high in the state of Maine, and numbers from the University of Maine’s Tick lab reported that 68% of blacklegged ticks submitted by homeowners were encountered on their own properties while engaged in everyday activities like gardening, yardwork, or simply playing outside.   

Addressing this critical issue, Tick BYTES introduces a groundbreaking community-based program designed to engage, educate and empower entire neighborhoods through collaborative and sustainable DIY eco-friendly pest solutions.

 Join 20 year veteran Lyme educators, Barb and Bob Maurais from Tick BYTES, as they introduce their step-by-step, DIY guide designed to engage, educate and empower homeowners to take direct control of protecting your own backyard utilizing professional grade, eco-friendly chemistry, affordable and effective battery powered backpack sprayers, and proven, time-tested application techniques. 

Our presentation will review the life cycle of the deer tick, how to build and use your own tick drag to survey your property for ticks, and discuss preventative measures including personal protection strategies and landscape modifications. Tick identification guides will be distributed to all attendees. A Q & A session will follow.

In preparation of the July 8^th event, you may visit www.tickbytes.us, and download the FREE Protection Strategies Home & Away guide.  Here you’ll learn more about reducing the risk of contracting vector-borne diseases, finding effective ways to protect your family and pets from these diseases, and exploring science-based resources to make informed decisions.

About the Presenters:

Barb Maurais, president of Tick BYTES, is a seasoned Lyme and associated diseases advocate, educator, webmaster, and social media coordinator. Since 2005, she has developed and presented educational talks to numerous community groups and organizations, and has networked with Lyme support groups to pass Lyme legislation in the Maine Legislature.

Bob Maurais, Tick BYTES IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Coordinator, holds a Commercial Master Applicator license in Maine, is a member of the Tick IPM Working Group, and has presented tick education workshops and seminars at local, state, and national conferences. In February of 2025, after twenty years of service, Bob retired from his previous community-based pest control business, and co-founded Tick BYTES.