Before Your Next Maryland Adventure: Don’t Forget the Bug Check

There is a lot to love about late summer in Maryland.

A walk through the woods. An evening outside with the family. A trip to the farmers market. A weekend at the water. A visit to one of Southern Maryland’s beautiful parks.

But there is one summer guest we would all happily leave off the invitation list:

Ticks and mosquitoes.

As Marylanders continue enjoying the outdoors through late summer and early fall, a few simple precautions can help you and your family enjoy the season while reducing your risk of insect borne illness.

Why This Matters in Maryland

Ticks are active throughout Maryland and are particularly common in wooded, grassy and brushy areas. The Maryland Department of Health notes that ticks remain active from late spring through early fall, making those end of summer outdoor adventures a good reason to keep tick checks part of your routine.

Mosquitoes deserve attention too.

In July 2026, the Maryland Department of Health reported the state’s first confirmed human case of West Nile virus for the year and reminded Maryland residents to reduce mosquito exposure and eliminate standing water around their homes.

That doesn’t mean you should cancel your outdoor plans.

It simply means enjoy Maryland, but be prepared.

Heading to the Woods? Think Tick Check.

Southern Maryland gives us plenty of opportunities to get outside.

If you’re exploring places such as Cedarville State Forest, Indian Head Rail Trail, Gilbert Run Park or another wooded or grassy area, remember that ticks can be present even when you don’t notice them.

Before heading outside:

• Wear light colored clothing so ticks are easier to spot.
• Consider long pants and long sleeves when spending time in wooded or brushy areas.
• Use an EPA registered insect repellent according to the product directions.
• Stay toward the center of established trails when hiking.
• Keep an eye on children and pets who are exploring the grass and woods.

And when you get home, don’t skip the most important step.

Do a Tick Check

Make checking for ticks part of coming home from an outdoor adventure.

Check your clothing and carefully check your skin, including areas such as:

• Behind the knees
• Around the waist
• Under the arms
• Around and behind the ears
• In the hair and scalp
• Between the legs

Children and pets should be checked too.

The Maryland Department of Health recommends showering soon after coming indoors and checking yourself, your children and your pets after spending time in tick habitat.

It only takes a few minutes.

Those few minutes can be worth it.

What About Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are another part of Maryland summers that are hard to avoid completely.

The good news is that there are simple ways to reduce exposure.

When you’re outside:

Cover up when practical.

Longer sleeves and pants can provide an additional barrier.

Use insect repellent.

Choose an EPA registered repellent and follow the label instructions.

Pay attention to timing.

Mosquito activity can be higher around dawn and early evening.

Check your yard.

Mosquitoes can breed in surprisingly small amounts of standing water. Maryland health officials recommend removing or regularly emptying containers that collect water, including buckets, flowerpots, toys, birdbaths and other outdoor items.

Don’t Forget Your Backyard

You don’t have to be hiking through the woods to encounter mosquitoes or ticks.

Your own backyard can provide opportunities for exposure.

Before the weekend, take a quick walk around your property.

Look for:

• Buckets or containers holding water
• Clogged gutters
• Children’s outdoor toys collecting rainwater
• Flowerpots or saucers
• Birdbaths that need fresh water
• Pool covers holding water
• Tarps or other outdoor items where rain can collect

Empty what you can.

It is a simple task that can make your outdoor space less welcoming to mosquitoes.

What If You Find a Tick?

Don’t panic.

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it promptly with fine tipped tweezers.

Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull upward steadily. After removing it, clean the bite area and your hands.

Avoid old home remedies such as petroleum jelly, nail polish or using a hot match. Maryland health guidance recommends using fine tipped tweezers and pulling the tick straight out.

Then pay attention to how you feel.

Know When to Call Your Healthcare Provider

Not every tick bite results in illness, but symptoms following a tick bite or significant outdoor exposure deserve attention.

Depending on the illness, symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Joint pain
• Rash

If you develop concerning symptoms after a tick bite or time spent in tick habitat, contact your healthcare provider and mention the exposure. Early evaluation and treatment can be important for tickborne illnesses.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Health and Enjoying Maryland

One of the best things about living in Maryland is being able to enjoy the outdoors in so many different ways.

You can take a walk at Laurel Springs Regional Park, explore a local trail, spend an afternoon at the park or simply sit outside with your family on a summer evening.

Don’t let ticks and mosquitoes keep you indoors.

Just make prevention part of the adventure.

Before you head out, protect yourself.

When you come home, check yourself.

And if something doesn’t feel right afterward, don’t ignore it.

That’s one more way to take care of yourself while enjoying everything Maryland has to offer.

A Little Prevention Goes a Long Way

Late summer won’t last forever.

• So get outside.
• Enjoy the trails.
• Enjoy the parks.
• Enjoy the fresh air.
• Enjoy Maryland.

Just remember the bug spray and the tick check. 💙

Your health should always be part of the adventure.