Conserving Nantucket
Various organizations and agencies work tirelessly to preserve
the island’s natural landscape, including the following:
Linda Loring Nature Foundation – llnf.org
The Maria Mitchell Association – mmo.org
The Massachusetts Audubon Society – massaudubon.org
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation – nantucketconservation.com
Nantucket Islands Land Bank Commission – nantucketlandbank.org
Nantucket Land Council – nantucketlandcouncil.org
The ‘Sconset Trust – sconsettrust.org
The Trustees of Reservations – the trustees.org
DEER TICK
Awareness
Deer ticks (sometimes called blacklegged
ticks) are much smaller than dog ticks, and
can be the size of the period at the end of this
sentence. On Nantucket and elsewhere,
infected ticks can transmit Lyme disease,
babesiosis, or ehrlichiosis to an unsuspecting
person.
Deer ticks are commonly found in sites
where the moisture is high. Take care
when walking in woods, marshy areas, tall
grass, and along the edges of fields and
lawns. If you venture into these areas, walk
in the middle of trails and away from
bordering shrubs.
Consider wearing protective clothing.
Wearing light colored long pants – ideally
tucked into high socks, and a long-sleeved
shirt – can aid you in spotting ticks. Insect
repellents with DEET (diethyltoluamide) will
discourage ticks, and those with permethrin
will kill them. Use these products with caution.
Ticks in search of a meal can sometimes
wander for hours before attaching themselves.
Normally, it takes between 24 and 48 hours for
an attached infected tick to pass bacteria to its
human host.
Remove an attached tick by grabbing it at
the skin’s surface with pointed tweezers. Avoid
squeezing the tick’s body. Clean the bite site
with soap and water, and watch for symptoms.
If you experience fever, an unexplained rash
anywhere on your body, painful joints, swollen
glands, or other flu-like symptoms, contact
your physician immediately. Tick-borne
diseases can be treated effectively with
antibiotics; however, an early and accurate
diagnosis is crucial.
For additional information, call:
Nantucket Cottage Hospital 508-825-8100
Nantucket Health Department 508-228-7226
Deer Tick - Actual Size
Daily tick checks are good insurance.
After visiting a “tick friendly” area, always
check yourself thoroughly, especially behind
the knees and thighs, the back, armpits, groin
and hairline.
42 • 2014 Official Guide to Nantucket
(left to right)
Larva, nymph, adult male
and adult female