Ticks abound after mild winter

Ticks are always a concern close to the mind of wildlife biologists and medical providers, especially as the pest continuously expands north to the Leelanau Peninsula.

“Black leg ticks are active anytime over 35 degrees... I’ve already found some on my dog already” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore wildlife biologist Vince Cavalieri said. “Warming trends over the past couple of decades is contributing to tick being prevalent and moving north.”

The mild winter could lead to an intense tick season, especially in early spring, according to Cavaleri.