SCRANTON, Pa. — They may be small, but their bite can be trouble. Ticks can be a problem for those who spend time outdoors. The tiny vectors can spread dangerous diseases.
Jill Baer, a Penn State Extension master gardener, says there are key times of the year when ticks are out.
"Typically, nymphs are really active between that May to July and then there's later on in the year in the fall, you're going to have adults being active."
But the weather has been a bit unseasonable over the last few weeks. People shouldn't think ticks aren't around just because it's February.
"If the day is in the high 30s or the 40s, ticks can be active, so you need to be checking yourself and taking precautions."
Baer says there are some myths when it comes to ticks, including the belief that ticks die off during cold winters.
"Most of the ticks that we have, have a two-year life cycle. So, they're not dying, necessarily, depending on where they are in their life stage. They're going to be overwintering. So as soon as those temperatures are warm enough, they can be active."
Baer advises people to be mindful of the terrain if they're going to be in an area where ticks may live.
"If you have pets, for example, that are out in leaf litter or woodland or any area where ticks would be, they can be picking up ticks, and you can be picking up ticks if you're in those areas."