What to know about ticks as you head outdoors this winter

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Now that the weather is less oppressive, Floridians will be spending more time outdoors. That can mean more exposure to ticks and tick-borne diseases. But a lot depends on where you live and what kind of ticks are around.

The most infamous tick-borne illness these days is Lyme disease, which, though more prevalent in the Northeast, does exist in Florida. But there are others. Alpha-gal disease, which causes people to have an allergic reaction to red meat, has been on the rise in the U.S. And ticks in Florida may spread spotted fever and ehrlichiosis, which dogs can catch, too.

Tick experts said that most of the 25 species of ticks in Florida are more common in the northern half of the state than in the south. No one really knows why.

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