SPRINGFIELD — State and local officials report weather conditions are ripe for a slight increase in the tick population in Western Massachusetts. The uptick of the Lyme disease-carrying arachnid is due to the hot, humid weather and last year’s relatively mild winter.
“Negative impacts on the tick populations occur during hot, dry weather and extreme cold snaps. This year has not experienced weather that is likely to have a significant negative impact on tick populations,” said state Department of Public Health epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown.
