Ticks typically begin to appear in late spring and early summer as warm weather sets in, but this year cases of the annual pest were reported three to four weeks earlier than normal, said University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agents.

"I’ve been receiving calls about ticks for well over a month already from homeowners, farmers, and hunters," said Kenny Perry, Graves County agriculture and natural resources extension agent.

"I’m seeing them earlier than before and expect them to be a problem this year," added Charles May, Perry County agriculture and natural resources extension agent.

The early appearance of ticks is likely due to this year’s weather. "Winter survival was probably higher due to the mild winter, and the tick season started earlier because of the warm spring," said Lee Townsend, PhD, extension entomologist with the UK College of Agriculture