As we're getting closer to the dog days of summer. People are spending more time outdoors.
"It's fabulous, it's wonderful, we really enjoy it. Meet a bunch of people here we walk as a group" Tracey Jones said. "We really enjoy the park and the weather."
Spring is beginning to bloom but ticks are quickly moving in.
"It spreads to more and more of them. As deer carry the ticks further and further in their range then the ticks are present in those other outlying areas of other counties" said Richard Thoune of Jackson County Health Department's health officer.
He says ticks carrying Lyme disease has never reached this far east of the state but they're getting closer. "It is that time of the year when ticks are really actively breeding and coming out of hibernation and we're seeing them" Thoune explained.
So the department is trying to stop them from spreading further east and closer to Jackson.
"We encourage people to be vigilant and to be aware that this is the time of year where both pets and people that Lyme disease begins to elevate" said Thoune.
Not only should people continue protecting themselves but they need to remind pet owners need to be looking for ticks every night because ticks hop on them easier than people.
"It can get behind the ears in like this area called exterior area and in the inguinal area as well and then around the feet" said Bethany Steele of Caring Animal Hospital.
Steele says if you do find a tick she says to immediately try and remove it with a fine tipped tweezer.
