Summery weather is great for a number of reasons, but the increase in bugs swarming about isn't one of them.
Ticks are unfortunately one of the insects that are more common during the warmer months, and the tiny pests like to lurk in long grasses before they attach themselves to humans or dogs.
Most of the time they're harmless, but in some cases, ticks can carry Lyme disease which they can pass on to whoever or whatever they've bitten.
This condition causes symptoms which can sometimes last for years, including joint pain and problems with the heart and nervous system.
With this in mind, it's important to be wary of ticks and carry out the correct procedure if you think you've been bitten by one, the Mirror reports.
How to spot a tick bite
Ticks can stay in a person or animal's skin for up to 10 days when they attack.
It's possible that you might not have even felt it bite, so if you've recently walked through long grass, it's advised that you take a good look at your body.
Unfed ticks can measure anything from 2-6mm, while a fully fed one can reach 10mm in size.
So the longer it's been on your body, the bigger it will be.
If a tick has dropped off, it often doesn't leave much of a mark, if any, but there might be a raised bump, like a mosquito bite. Ticks typically only bite once, instead of in clusters or lines.
Lyme disease symptoms
In some cases, ticks can pass on Lyme disease.
According to Healthline, one of the first symptoms of this condition is a bullseye rash appearing on your skin from three to 30 days after you've been bitten.
There might be more than one rash, and it might get bigger as the days go on.
Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain and swelling, muscle aches, headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating.
If you suffer any of these symptoms and you suspect it could be Lyme disease, seek medical attention.
How to remove a tick
If you can see a tick in your skin, use tweezers or forceps to remove it.
Experts at Live Science recommend that you pull the tick straight up steadily rather than twisting it, then clean the wound with antiseptic or soap and water.
How to avoid tick bites
Cover up
A sure fire way to reduce the risk of tick bites is to keep as much of your skin covered as possible in certain environments where ticks live, such as long grass.
"Tucking pants [trousers] into socks may not be fashionable, but it can save you the suffering from a tick-borne disease later on," Holly Donohoe, an adjunct professor at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida told Live Science.
Wear insect repellent
When it's too hot to cover your arms and legs, try an insect repellent instead.
Permethrin, the insecticide found in anti-malarial bed nets, kills adult ticks as well as those in their larval stage, called nymphs, which are the likeliest to carry Lyme disease. DEET meanwhile, often used in mosquito spray, is not toxic to ticks but can help repel them.
Put your clothes in the dryer
Ticks need humidity to survive. The insects can live through a machine wash but a spin in the drier should kill them off.
Check your dog
Ticks can often attach themselves to dogs. If you regularly check and remove any ticks from your pet, infections are less likely.
Avoid walking through long grass
If you can, try not to walk through any long grass, and keep your garden lawn trimmed.
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