TICKS

A mild winter has increased tick-borne illnesses in certain parts of the country. While it's rare in Texas, doctors want to warn people about being mindful when traveling.

Mosquitoes aren't the only blood-thirsty pests to avoid as we spend more time outdoors. Tick populations are increasing across the country.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is warning campers of the dangers of ticks as warmer weather makes its return. Ticks like to attach to the head, hair, chest, armpit, groin, waist and back of the knees, according to AgriLife. Ticks can be removed with tweezers by grabbing them as close to its head as possible and pulling straight out. Experts warn states to prepare for cicada infestationAgriLife says there are 11 common tick species found in Texas, with the American dog tick being the most common. If you come into contact with a tick and need to identify it, you can use the TAMU Tick App.

Gardner noted that the United States contends with the parasitic infection babesiosis; it's also found in Europe. (Other tick borne-diseases in Europe include tick-borne relapsing fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and Mediterranean spotted fever.) Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a distinctive bull's-eye rash that expands from the bite itself. Showering within two hours of coming inside can reduce the risk of Lyme disease, according to the CDC. In the United States, dogs are susceptible to tick-borne Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, hepatozoonosis, anaplasmosis and babesiosis.