Snowy winter may have led to an increase in ticks this spring: What to know

With schoolchildren back outside playing in the warmer weather, there comes a familiar concern for parents, especially in the tri-state: ticks.

And it turns out, this spring is worse than normal, thanks to the brutal snowstorms seen over the winter. In one Long Island community, some students are coming home from school with bites — so the district is taking action.

“A lot earlier than usual, ticks are being seen on students,” said Joe Mercado, the facilities director for the Middle Country School District. “Several elementary schools have noticed an increase in ticks.”

The tick arrival in April prompted the district to begin spraying at all 14 schools on Tuesday, according to Mercado. That’s weeks ahead of when it is typically done.

“Usually we spray in May…so seeing these concerns from our principals and parents definitely came as a surprise,” Mercado said.

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Dr. Andrew Handel said he has already received local reports of dozens of tick bites in April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of April emergency room visits related to tick bites is at the highest level in nine years.

“As we see these tick bites happening, we do expect that there will be more tick infections over the coming months,” Dr. Handel said.

Despite the early start, Dr. Handel couldn’t say how bad a tick season it will be overall. But as for why the insects are out ahead of schedule, it could be due to the layer of snow that blanketed the ground for much of the winter.

“It actually creates a barrier of insulation above the ticks where they live and that makes it warmer and traps in humidity, which helps ticks to thrive,” said Dr. Handel.

Bug spray can help offer protection, Handel said, but if anyone who finds a tick should pull it out with tweezers and bring it to the doctor. The good news: Most tick bites result in no medical problems.