Warm Winter Fuels Tick Population

They sneak up on you when you're least expecting it. Little creepy crawlies with pincer-like jaws.

Ticks.

And thanks to our mild winter, we can expect to see loads of them this summer, according to Modern Pest Services of New Boston Street.

"Ticks can become active at 40 to 45 degrees and this year, we’ve already had several days with temperatures well above that, so ticks are becoming much more prevalent,” said Mike Peaslee, a technical manager at .

Ticks are harmful to both humans and animals. They are normally found in yards and parks, especially "dark, moist environments ... tall grass, weeds, low brush, leaf litter and wooded areas."

“People who are taking advantage of the warm spring weather and enjoying outdoor activities such as gardening, camping, hiking or just playing around in the backyard are likely to encounter more ticks,” said Peaslee.

Even though ticks look like little insects, they're actually arachnids, according to Modern Pest Services.

Ticks carry diseases, including Lyme Disease.

Peaslee offered several tips on controlling ticks in your yard:

• reduce the amount of leaf litter and brush around your home
• keep your lawn mowed and well maintained
• put a mulch “barrier” around your property tree line to help keep ticks off your lawn
• move swing sets or any recreation structures to the middle of your yard away from shrubs, bushes, tall grass and tree line
• have your property professionally treated by a pest management professional to help reduce tick populations.