BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 8, 2024
With ticks on the rise in Maine, intrepid outdoorsy folks are getting creative with methods for keeping ticks at bay. Among the methods circulating via popular social media sites is to wrap duct tape with the sticky side out around pants ankles to catch ticks while they try to crawl up legs. It looks silly. But does it work? Griffin Dill, who manages the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab, said that it’s not a terrible idea, as long as the tape is snug enough that the ticks can’t get underneath it. The method isn’t perfect. Durability of the tape, for instance, can be an issue. If you’re looking for a more effective way to keep ticks away, try gaiters for your ankles and legs.