MUNCIE, Ind. - Warmer than usual weather in early and mid-March has caused an abundance of ticks and an early start to the Indiana tick season, says a Ball State University entomologist.

Ball State's Public Health Entomology Laboratory began receiving specimens in late February and early March, which is several weeks ahead of schedule, said Robert Pinger, a professor of physiology and health science.

The lab facility tests ticks sent in from around the state to determine if they carry Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Ehrlichiosis.

"The warmer weather brought out the ticks," said Pinger, who has been studying ticks and tick-related diseases for nearly 20 years. "At the same time, people began getting out into the woods, fields and state parks to enjoy the nicer weather by hiking, hunting and fishing.

"It doesn’t necessarily mean that ticks will be bad this year just because we have been receiving specimens earlier than usual," he said. "In fact, last year we had an early start and the drought caused fewer specimens to be found in late summer."

Tick-borne diseases occur annually in Indiana. Since 1990, the state has had 172 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease, 55 confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and 23 confirmed cases of Ehrlichiosis.

Pinger said his lab received its first American Dog tick, which can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, on March 9. The peak month for the pest is in May.

"We get a few in late March and some in April, but this is the earliest I can remember for this one," he said.

Pinger said ticks like to attach themselves to parts of the body where they may go unnoticed, including the underarms and back of the neck. Daily head-to-toe tick checks are advised for people living in tick-infested areas or visiting an area known to have ticks.

To pick up a tick, an individual must brush up against them because ticks don't fly or hop. To avoid picking up a tick, wear light-colored clothing, including hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants tucked into socks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to see a tick. If necessary, tape clothing together to cut down on the chances that ticks can crawl under clothing, Pinger said.

When a tick is found attached to the skin, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible, and pull gently and steadily to remove it. Do not twist or jerk the tick, he said.

To find out more about ticks, contact the Ball State Public Health Entomology Lab Web site at www.bsu.edu/csh/phs/phel.html or call (765) 285-1504.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Pinger at rpinger@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5961. )