Martha’s Vineyard is an island of mostly sand. The population changes dramatically from one season to the next. Martha’s Vineyard has a year-round population of about 15,500 swelling to 115,000 in the summer. Approximately 63% of the Island’s housing stock is second homes for seasonal residents, and an additional 10,000 visitors are coming and going on ferries, in private boats and via air travel every day mid-June through Labor Day. A lot of them bring pets.
Since 2014 The Captain Morse House discouraged pets due to the hitchhiking of pests into the home. The hardwood floors and in town location provide a degree of comfort for our guests and an inhospitable climate for pests. Additionally we use Terminex to treat the interior and exterior of the house. All of this means we are doing the best we can to provide you a pest free environment.
How you act is very important to keeping ticks away. I highly recommend taking an evening bath or shower after being out and about on Martha’s Vineyard island. This evening ritual is important for washing off any poison ivy, ticks, sun screen etc. that is used during the day. Children should be carefully examined after playing and after bath or shower.
How to protect yourself from Ticks
Here are some resources for Tick identification.
Tick Research
Treat Clothes with Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent
For ten hour protection Repel 100 Insect Repellent
Both of these are available from Amazon
I recommend shipping them ahead of your stay.