Maine is The Most Dangerous State For Tick Exposure in The Nation

After a long winter of being stuck inside, spring and summer generally mean getting outside for a chance to explore. That could be hiking, biking, camping or a day at the beach.

For a long time, those that ventured into the woods understood they'd be wise to have some protection from both mosquitos and ticks.

These days, ticks have moved on from being a deep woods pest to an everyday one. From backyards to small patches of wooded area, ticks seem to arrive in Maine earlier each year and in larger numbers.

Now, a new study showcases that Maine leads the nation in something the state isn't proud. Dangers to tick exposure.

Maine Carries the Highest Risk to Tick Exposure of Any State in America

An outdoor publication known as Outforia has released a study using several major data points to determine which states carry the greatest risk for tick exposure in America.

Maine just edged out Pennsylvania as the most dangerous state in the nation for tick exposure.

Maine is far and away the leader in the country in tick-borne disease cases per capita. That in combination with more forested land than any other state in the top 10 led Maine to being the most dangerous state for tick exposure in America.

Tick-Borne Illness Cases Have Been Surging in Maine Over The Last Few Years

Maine being the most dangerous state for exposure to ticks makes plenty of sense based on some other data as well.

According to the Maine Monitor, CDC data shows Maine and several other northeast states have seen a regular increase year-by-year in tick borne illness cases. It's not just Lyme disease either, with several other tick borne diseases seeing a spike in cases.

Most of that increase is believed to be that "tick season" is simply longer than ever thanks a rapidly warming climate throughout New England.