Scientists warn walkers that a mild winter means more ticks, sparking fears of rise in Lyme Disease

Bloodsuckers on the rise has sparked fears of disease

Experts are warning of an explosion in the number of ticks this summer and with them an increase in the number of cases of crippling Lyme Disease.

Last month’s mild weather – which saw the warmest February day on record – means the tick breeding season got off to an early start.

The number of diagnosed cases of Lyme Disease – a debilitating condition which can cause arthritis and even paralysis – rose from less than 30 reported cases in 1996 to 220 in 2015.

Stella Huyshe-Shires, chairman of Lyme Disease Action, said the warmer weather will mean more ticks.

It also means there will be more rodents, which carry Lyme Disease, and which ticks feed off. So Scotland’s ticks are more likely to be carrying the disease.

She said: “Ticks are generally active over 7°C. It has been milder and they are likely to be out and about earlier.

“The other thing about relatively mild winters is that more mice survive and it is rodents which are the main carriers of the Lyme Disease bacteria. You have more ticks, they feed on more mice and therefore are more like to pick Lyme Disease.

“Awareness of ticks is the key to prevention of tick-borne disease. If you know what a tick looks like and how to remove it then you need not worry about enjoying the countryside.”

Harriet Auty, an epidemiologist at Scotland’s Rural College, warned this year could see large numbers of ticks.

“The warm weather in February definitely caused early tick activity and there were people reporting ticks on themselves and their pets.”

Since then colder weather has caused less tick activity, but Dr Auty warned: “There are ticks out there but they are waiting for warm weather … so we are definitely building towards a spring peak.”

Lyme Disease can cause paralysis but even a mild form can cause severe tiredness and aching muscles.