(WRGB) -- The New York State Health Department says ticks usually come out when it's 40 degrees or higher. CBS 6’s weather charts show more than a dozen days in January had a high above 40 degrees.

"As your weather shows, the weather's been warm enough to allow those ticks to be active," said Holly Ahearn, a professor of microbiology at SUNY Adirondack.

Ahearn says five different tick sightings have been sent to her this month. She says that's more than she's seen in her ten years of studying this topic. Ahearn says this trajectory could increase the risk for Lyme disease, but she says it is still a year round disease for humans and their pets.

"Pets are the ones who are most likely running around the woods where the ticks are, are so check on the pets when they come into the house," Ahearn said.

She recommends that you still check for ticks on yourself and your pets during the warmer winter that we're having. She says not all of the ticks she's seen are infectious.

But all of the ones she's seen this month are mature, meaning they have a higher chance of being infectious. And she says it's never a bad time to check for ticks.

"A tick attached long enough to transmit disease, those microbes will get in you,” Ahearn said.

Ahearn says if you find a tick on you, getting rid of it isn't the only step you should take. She says you should go see a doctor immediately. She says the longer you wait, the worse your symptoms can get.