Summer in Maine is what makes this state the Vacationland that so many have come to know and love.
As business picks up at the Gorham Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, I’ve enjoyed seeing lots of familiar faces, as well as new ones. Connecting with friends and neighbors at the market is one of my favorite parts about summers in Maine, but getting to spend time exploring the outdoors and playing with friends and family is always a joy. For those of you who are looking for things to do outside, the options are endless but staying safe while having fun is critical.
You may have heard that Gov. Janet Mills has recently announced “Residents’ Day” at some Maine State Parks. On Sunday, June 19, Maine residents won’t have to pay day use fees at any of our parks or historic sites. This a great opportunity for families to enjoy the outdoors and explore a park you’ve never been to before.
We’re lucky here in Maine to have access to 48 state parks and historic sites. If you’re looking for a camping adventure, it’s hard to beat one of the 12 state parks that offer campsites, like Sebago Lake State Park, right in our backyard. To learn more about some of these recreational options, visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands website.
Part of getting outside to enjoy Maine’s summer is being prepared. By now, we all know that means more than sunblock and lots of snacks. With the rate of Lyme disease, Powassen virus and other tick-borne diseases on the rise, we need to bring a good bug spray, the right clothing to repel ticks and a tick spoon or tweezers to make sure we can remove them quickly if they get past our defenses.
The UMaine Cooperative Extension offers plenty of information on tick identification and management that can help you and your pets avoid tick-borne diseases. The Cooperative Extension tick lab can test individual ticks to find out if they carry harmful diseases, which may be useful in detecting Lyme disease even before symptoms appear.
On the topic of insects, Mainers also need to be weary of the increasing browntail moth (BTM) problem across the state. We are fortunate in Gorham that our rates are still relatively low; however, the month of June is a particularly critical time for preventing infestations. Until the end of the month, BTM caterpillars become expert hitchhikers. When they catch a ride, BTM may post up in a new area and cause irritation to people and destroy foliage on trees and shrubs at their new location. That’s why the Maine Forest Service is asking folks to check their cars, trucks, boats, bikes, ATVs and other vehicles for stray caterpillars.
The best method to kill a BTM caterpillar is to move them to a plastic bag or another container and freeze them or soak them in a bucket of soapy water before disposing of them in the trash.
To track BTM activity, check out the Maine Forest Service’s interactive map that shows where infestations are most prevalent. The Maine CDC also has a lot of good information about how to identify BTMs, symptoms of irritation, how to stay safe throughout the summer and fall and how to combat the pests ahead of next season.
If you’re interested in finding out more about staying safe and preserving our public lands and waters while enjoying the Maine outdoors this summer, I would love to hear from you. As always, you can reach me at (207) 287-1430 or maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, is serving her third term in the Maine House of Representatives. She serves as House Chair of the Taxation Committee. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. Contact her at maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.