Spring is here, and with it comes tick season. Right on cue, John Ray spotted his first tick of the year at Koulas Farm this week. It is a good reminder that they are already active even with cooler mornings.
Ticks are most commonly found in areas where grass meets woods, along trail edges, in leaf litter, and in low brush. At Koulas and similar open spaces, that means the edges of fields, stone walls, and any area with last year’s leaves still on the ground.
One advantage at Koulas Farm is thoughtful trail design. Many of the main paths are maintained at roughly 52 inches wide, and the central field is regularly cut. That extra width and open space help keep visitors away from brush and overgrowth where ticks are most active, reducing the chance of exposure when you stay on the trail.
There are also several locations in town where exposure risk tends to be lower when used as intended. Open, maintained areas like Red Wing Farm, Sunny Meadow Farm, Roberts Field (non-trail areas), the Nature Trail at Southwell (main path), the Bog (main trails), and Thanksgiving Forest (main trails) generally keep you out of dense brush and leaf litter where ticks thrive.
A few simple steps still go a long way:
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easy to spot
Long pants tucked into socks or boots help keep them on the outside
Use insect repellent with DEET or permethrin-treated clothing
Stay toward the center of trails when possible
Do a full tick check when you get home, especially behind knees, waistline, and neck
Early-season ticks can be small and easy to miss, so taking a minute to check now can save a lot of trouble later.
Enjoy the trails; just go prepared.
This post is shared for general educational awareness, is neutral and community-focused, and does not promote any private, political, or commercial interest, consistent with 501(c)(3) guidelines. COSS is an independent, volunteer-led nonprofit and does not represent the Town of Chelmsford or its boards.