As the summer season gears up, so do the bugs and insects.

Many say the ticks are bad this year.

Tom Tomlinson, a Physician's Assistant at Luther Midelfort, says there's been a bumper crop of ticks this year due to the wet spring.

But he says, with a few simple tips, your summer doesn't have to be tick infested.

A lot of people get that creepy crawly feeling just looking at a tick.
But with more of them around this summer, it'll be hard to avoid one.

DNR Safety Officer, Bob Sloan says, "This year is probably as bad as any. The last couple of years have seemed exceptionally bad."

DNR Safety Officer, Bob Sloan, says there are some precautions you can take, and the easiest, is to just look after yourself.

Bob Sloan says, "The most important thing is doing a tick check when you get indoors. That's probably one of the best ways. Check yourself over for ticks."

The DNR says if you plan on doing any outdoor activities, make sure you wear long clothing to help avoid picking up any ticks.

Bob Sloan says, "Wear light colored clothes, it makes ticks easier to see. Put insect repellent on your clothes and your boots, not so much on your skin."

And why such the fuss with those little guys?

Well, some deer ticks can be carriers of Lyme Disease.

Tom Tomlinson says, "Early symptoms are fever, chills, sometimes nausea, muscle and joint aches and pains."

So if you have a tick crawling on you, pick it off and step on it or throw it away.

Tomlinson says if you follow these tips, your outdoor experiences should remain tick free.

Tom Tomlinson says, "Just be aware. Be aware that Lyme Disease is out there and if you have any questions, contact your clinic."

Tomlinson says the easiest way to remove a tick is to get a pair of tweezers and put gentle pressure on it as you pull.

He says by putting steady pressure on the tick, you can oftentimes release the grip and remove it completely.