BELFAST — As springs gives way to summer, few pests strike the same fear in Mainers, especially residents of the Midcoast, as the tiny disease-carrying members of the arachnid family. 

Megan Kelley, an RN and Epidemiologist with Mid Coast Field, held a talk at Belfast Public Library June 4 where she presented information on various tick-borne illnesses in addition to different methods of combating the problem. 

Kelley, who is also affiliated with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed a slide presentation with 40-plus members of the community who attended the evening event. 

“In any talk I do about ticks or tick-borne illnesses there are a lot of personal experiences with ticks,” she told the group, “but I’m going to hold off on questions and stories until the end,” so the talk could conclude before the library closed. It turned out to be a good plan. 

The nearly two hours were jam-packed with facts and images, as well as information on preventative practices and how other cities and states have successfully battled their tick problems. 

Included are selected slides shown during the presentation, along with selected talking points. 

Those seeking additional information can visit the Center for Disease Control or the Maine Center for Disease Control.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com