Ticks are a year-round problem; but in spring, they tend to be more noticeable.

In the wintertime, ticks usually go dormant as long as temperatures stay below freezing. They will hide underneath firewood and leaves for insulation and warmth until they can latch onto a warm-blooded mammal such as a human, pet or a white-tailed deer. (Fact: Whitetails are the number one carriers of ticks with diseases in North America.)

In springtime, ticks will come out of hiding to find a warm-blooded mammal for their food source. They will usually appear in grasses and wooded areas where they will seek blood from gardeners; campers; hikers and even pets that are spending their warm days outside.

This season, outdoor enthusiasts will need to be reminded of how to remove a tick using tick removal tools. Do not use fingertips or lighters to remove ticks.

While not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, they may carry other life-altering diseases that affect both humans and pets.