I have vivid anecdotal evidence that spring times are among the very worst tick times. In fact, throughout our mild winter, the bloodsuckers were pretty much out and a-grab nonstop.

While all ticks – and Jersey has a slew of species – covet warm-blooded passersby, I’ve even found them snuggling up to lifeforms of a coldblooded nature, like the Pinelands ubiquitous fence swift lizards. Ticks imbed in the reptile’s neck area.