LEWISBURG -- With the warm weather upon us, tick season is here. Many people say they've seen more of the little insects this year.
Experts say you need to be extra careful when you're outside, especially in wooded areas.
Denise Skotedis and her granddaughter Alexa played at the Lewisburg Area Recreation Park. She says she would rather play with Alexa at home, but she lives in a wooded area with a lot of ticks.
"They seem worse than they ever were and it seems concerning to allow young children, even adults to go out into the forest," Skotedis said.
"Take them to the playground and stuff like that to try to stay away and keep them safe," said Jennifer Zawisky of Winfield.
Doctors at Evangelical Community Hospital near Lewisburg say warm weather brings along ticks, so you should be extra careful when you are outside.
Dr. Bradley Moyer says Lyme disease is by far the most common condition diagnosed. Lyme disease is only caused by deer ticks.
"There are other tick-related illnesses, but the main one we focus on is Lyme," said Dr. Moyer.
The doctor says there are many ways to remove ticks, but the most important thing to remember is to try and get it out within the first 24 hours, to use a pair of tweezers, and to try and remove it by its head.
"It's when ticks have been attached for more than 24 hours, your risk of Lyme disease significantly goes up," Dr. Moyer said.
Zawinsky says she takes her own precautions to protect her three sons from ticks.
"Keep watching over the boys, checking them every night just to make sure because we do have some trees around our house, pine trees and wooded area."
Dr. Moyer says this year's tick season seems mild so far compared to last year, but adds it is only getting started.