It’s the time of year when folks are spending more time outdoors - and it’s also the time of year when ticks are most active, said Dr. Jeffrey A. Jahre, senior vice president for medical and academic affairs for St. Luke’s University Health Network.

“Ticks seem to be most prominent from May to October and these are the times that the transmission of diseases most commonly occur,” said Jahre, an infectious disease specialist. “We are in that season.”

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has the highest number of cases of Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Studies show that about 30% of ticks carry that disease.

“Lehigh Valley in general as well as the Poconos are considered high risk areas,” Jahre said. “We are already seeing cases of Lyme disease.”

And as the naturalist for Locust Lake and Tuscarora state parks in Barnesville, Robin Tracey knows ticks are always active.

“I’ve had several people have ticks on them already,” said Tracey, who leads walks and other outdoor activities at the parks.

Jahre explained that to spread Lyme disease, a tick typically needs to be attached to its host for at least 24 hours. During that time, it feeds on blood, which causes its body to expand from the size of a poppy seed to a more globular shape.

“If it’s not engorged, the likelihood is that you’re not going to have to worry about getting Lyme disease,” he said.

Anyone who spends time outside should be vigilant.

When coming inside, they should thoroughly inspect their bodies for ticks. Jahre said the creatures tend to favor spots under the arms, between the legs, behind the knees, around the hairline and near the waist. They also hide inside ears and belly buttons.

“Of course, they can be anywhere,” he said.

When found, people shouldn’t burn them off or squeeze them. They should use a tick removal tool or tweezers to gently pull the tick from their skin.

“If it is engorged, or you think it has been on you for more than 24 hours, all is not lost at that point in time. There are prophylactic antibiotics that can be prescribed as a single dose that really cut down on the risk tremendously,” Jahre said.

He noted that the incubation period for Lyme disease is between 2 and 30 days. People often develop a growing rash that resembles a bull’s-eye target. They might develop fever, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. Later symptoms might include facial palsy, painful arthritis, heart palpitations, numbness and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Jahre and Tracey said prevention is key.

“They recommend that you wear long sleeves and long pants,” Tracey noted. “Tuck your pants into your socks.”

People should also remove their clothing when they get home and wash it with hot water.

Those who spend time outdoors should treat their clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains on items through at least a half dozen washings. He also recommended insect repellents containing picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or DEET.

The suggestions, Jahre said, “go a long way in preventing tick bites.”