Tick season is here—and it’s delivering more than just itchy bites. With Lyme disease cases quadrupling over the last 20 years across the U.S., ticks pose a growing risk to families, pets, and even pollinators.
But you don’t have to sit back and wait for bites.
Introducing Tick BYTES: A DIY Game-Changer
Launched June 11, Tick BYTES (Back Yard Tick Eco‑friendly Solutions) offers a step-by-step DIY system—developed by Lyme-advocate Barb Maurais and licensed pest pro Bob Maurais—to tackle ticks and mosquitoes naturally. Here’s what they’re focused on this season:
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Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices
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Using eco-friendly botanical chemistry, plus affordable backpack sprayers
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Scales from personal yards to whole neighborhoods
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Offering options that are safe for families, pets, and pollinators
The Motivation Behind The Tick Initiative
Founder Barb Maurais notes that “in 2024, 68% of ticks submitted to the University of Maine Tick Lab were found in people’s yards during everyday activities like gardening and play… We created this program to empower people to reduce ticks and mosquitoes in their own backyards.”
Bob Maurais adds, “Rather than rely on professional services alone, we’re giving people the tools … to unite with their neighbors … Knowledge empowers, but it’s action that protects.”
What You Can Do—Backed by Science
Tick BYTES follows IPM principles, aligning with proven research:
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Habitat management: Clear leaf litter, create gravel/sunny zones—ticks hate dryness and thrive in clutter.
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Chemical controls: Botanical oils (cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary), used responsibly, can reduce tick presence.
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Biological deterrents: Incorporate guinea fowl or beneficial nematodes (such as hookworms and roundworms)—natural predators of tick larvae.
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Neighbor collaboration: Treating contiguous properties is key—ticks travel with wildlife, so community-wide efforts work best.
Make It Work for You
What can you do first to tackle this important summer goal and reduce the number of ticks? Start here:
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Download Tick BYTES’ free DIY guides like Protection Strategies – Home & Away and Time to Treat for Ticks.
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Map out your yard—identify shaded, moist zones where ticks thrive.
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Apply eco-friendly sprays using the battery-powered sprayer provided or recommended.
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Maintain habitat through regular yard cleanup and landscaping tweaks.
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Link with neighbors—greater coverage equals greater protection.
Don’t Skip Personal Prevention
Even the best yard defense doesn’t replace personal caution:
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Cover up in long sleeves and permethrin-treated clothing, especially in wooded or grassy areas.
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Do full-body checks after being outside, and remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
Ultimately, Tick BYTES delivers a community-powered, eco-friendly defense system for major summer pests—ticks and mosquitoes. By combining habitat alterations, botanical repellents, and organized neighborhood action, it empowers homeowners to protect their loved ones naturally, which will protect pollinators too.