By the end of March, we all just need thespring.

We welcome theextra hours of daylightand milder temperatures with open arms.

OneTV news station in Massachusettshas even dubbed it a tick apocalypse.

Black legged tick on piece of grass

Kerrick / Getty Images

As adults, they move onto deer, where they ultimately lay their eggs.

Last year seemed to be a big year for mice.

In addition, the deer tick spreads other illnesses, so those transmission rates will probably rise as well.

An upsurge in deer over the past few years can also have an impact.

Specifically, northern parts of the country and Canada are seeing more ticks than ever before.

it’s possible for you to think of this as tick malaria, says Parada.

Its triggered by a parasite that infects and kills red blood cells.

It causes fever and fatigue, but can occur without symptoms.

Its usually transmitted by the black-legged tick, and is prevalent inparts of the Northeast and upper Midwest.

This infection is due to bacteria that impact white blood cells called granulocytes.

This is also transmitted by the black-legged tick and the western black-legged tick.

Still, its a relatively rare disease.

Symptoms are flu-likefever, headache, fatigue, nausea, and muscle ache.

The symptoms are very similar to anaplasmosis.

Ehrlichiosis is triggered by a few different types of bacteria.

This is also known as rabbit fever.

Its mostly transmitted by the American dog tick and wood tick.

This is the most serious tick-borne disease in the U.S. By the time the rash comes out, youre in big trouble, Parada says.

If youre not feeling well and have recently been in a wooded or grassy area, see a doctor.

To prevent tick-borne disease?

Be aware, Hill says.

As soon as you come indoors again, do a tick check.

“If you catch them before, you really lower your chances of acquiring a tick-borne disease.”

Wearing latex or another jot down of glove can help prevent spreading any contaminated fluids.

Then, wash your skin with warm soapy water and swipe with rubbing alcohol to kill any lingering bacteria.

Update March 27: Information was added about posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).