Here locally and across the state, there are reports of an increase in the number of ticks being found on people and animals.
Russell County Agriculture Extension Agent Jonathan Oakes said the increase in ticks is likely due to warmer temperatures in the early spring.
Oakes also offered some suggestions on how people can avoid ticks while outdoors this summer.
Experts say if you’ve been bitten by a tick to watch for symptoms of tick-borne disease for 30 days afterward such as rash, fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, or joint swelling and pain.
Experts also encourage people to save any ticks they remove from their bodies in alcohol or nail-polish remover to help health-care providers make a diagnosis if they see symptoms of a tick-borne illness. This is important because symptoms don’t always show up immediately.
