Community Initiatives in Nashoba Valley

What is T.I.C.K?

At ohDEER Nashoba Valley, we don’t just serve local families — we invest in our communities. Through two core programs, T.I.C.K. and T.I.C.K9, we’re working to raise awareness about tick-borne illnesses and offer practical, preventative solutions across Bolton, Acton, Clinton, and surrounding areas.

Take Initiative Check Kids is our way of helping protect children from ticks and the growing threat of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Kids spend a lot of time outdoors — and that includes recess, field trips, and after-school play. The T.I.C.K. program was created to ensure their safety when parents aren’t nearby to check for ticks.

There are two parts to the program:

  • Free Tick & Mosquito Control Sprays for preschools in Nashoba Valley
  • Educational Materials for teachers to send home with families

By combining natural tick prevention with practical education, we help kids and parents Enjoy More Time Outside — safely.

man and a child playing soccer in the backyard of a home that is safe from ticks because of ohDEER's community initiatives.

How to Check Your Child for Ticks

Ticks can be hard to spot, but a quick check after outdoor play can go a long way in preventing illness. Here’s what to do after hikes, playdates, or time in the yard:

  • Check warm, hidden areas like the scalp, behind ears, armpits, waistlines, and behind knees.
  • Use a lint roller to lift off unattached ticks before they settle in.
  • Tumble dry clothes on high heat for 20 minutes to kill lingering ticks.
  • Encourage children to stick to the center of trails.

Apply a natural tick repellent (like ohDEER’s) on socks, shoes, and outerwear.

Read More

How to remove a tick:

Use fine-point tweezers, sterilized with rubbing alcohol.

Grasp the tick close to the skin’s surface.

Pull upward slowly and steadily — no twisting.

Wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water.

Save the tick in a sealed bag (for potential testing) or flush it.

Activities for Kids

COLORING PAGE

COMIC STRIP

BINGO CARD

Protect Your Pets Too with T.I.C.K9

We provide preschools and families with tick-awareness tools that are both educational and fun:

  • Coloring Pages
  • Bingo Cards
  • Simple Comic Strips

These materials make it easy to start the tick safety conversation with young children in a way they’ll actually enjoy.

Don’t Forget Your Pets: T.I.C.K9

Just like kids, your pets are exposed to ticks every time they go outside. Through T.I.C.K9, we encourage local families to check their dogs, cats, and other pets regularly and protect them with natural tick spray.

We partner with doggy daycares, groomers, and veterinarians in Acton, Clinton, and Harvard to share pet-safe tick prevention and offer:

  • Free resources for pet owners and care providers
  • All-natural tick yard treatment services
  • Education on identifying and removing ticks from pets

For more information about checking your pet for ticks, visit the CDC website!

Giving Back in Nashoba Valley

We’re proud to collaborate with local schools, vets, and pet care centers to keep our community safer. Whether it’s spraying a preschool for free or dropping off tick education kits at a vet’s office, we’re committed to helping families and pets stay protected — naturally.

Want to bring T.I.C.K. or T.I.C.K9 to your school or business? Call us at (508) 358-0808 to get started.