With the weather warming up, people are itching to get out and enjoy all that New York’s state parks have to offer. Unfortunately, there’s another thing that might get them itching – the bite of a tick!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 476,000 people in the U.S. contract Lyme disease, one of several tick-borne diseases found in the Empire State, every year. Considering there are countless cases that go unreported, it’s important to be aware of ticks and how to avoid them as we go out and enjoy nature. Here’s some information about ticks, and some ways to avoid being bitten.