BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 10, 2025
There are two main ways to fight ticks on an island: reduce the animals that host them, or use chemicals that kill them. Islesboro continues to struggle with a rising prevalence of tick-borne illnesses. Islesboro’s large deer population drives high tick density. However, opposition to firearm hunting limits control options. Since the complete removal of deer on Monhegan, only two cases of Lyme disease have been reported. Controlling tick-borne diseases on Islesboro and other high-risk coastal areas will likely require a multifaceted approach. Combining increased deer management, targeted pesticide use and public education on individual precautions — such as repellents and thorough tick checks — offers the best chance of reducing illness rates and keeping residents safe.