With summer-like weather finally upon us, so too are a few critters we'd rather do without.
Mosquitos...especially with all of our recent rain....and black-legged ticks, otherwise known as deer ticks.
"They're very active right now, for sure," says Dave Neitzel with the Minnesota Department of Health's Vectorborne Disease Unit.
"We've been out doing field studies across the state and we're having no trouble finding black-legged ticks active across the state."
Neitzel says black-legged ticks can carry Lyme Disease, and mosquitos can carry West Nile Virus, both potentially dangerous conditions.
"All of the snow and then the rain have created wonderful mosquito breeding sites across the state," says Neitzel.
Neitzel says it's important to protect yourself with repellents and proper clothing to prevent tick and mosquito bites,and to check for ticks any time you or your dog have been out in grassy or wooded areas.