AVON, N.Y. — While most of us love the warmer weather, there are some dangers to be aware of. They include ticks and the threat of Lyme disease.

Many people who enjoy the outdoors, and pet owners, are all too familiar with the pesky arachnids. Ticks are prevalent in many areas of New York state.

So what is the best advice for preventing them from attaching themselves to you or your pet?

Mark Gooding, a natural resource manager with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says ticks are usually found in areas of tall grass or brush and shrubs. If you are in a park or nature preserve, it's best to stay on the main trail.

It's also a good idea to wear long clothing, such as items that protect your ankles and calves. Insecticides can also be applied as an extra layer of protection to help repel the ticks.

Gooding says ticks typically hitch a ride on a human's or animal's legs and then crawl around until they find a good spot to feed on, such as the armpit, neck and behind the ears.

If a tick has had enough time to latch on and begin feeding, the individual may develop a rash that indicates the presence of Lyme disease. If that happens, a person is advised to visit their doctor right away. A course of antibiotics taken early can eliminate the bacterial infection in most cases.