Illinois could be facing 'tick invasion,' experts warn of possible increase in Lyme disease

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Experts said Illinoisans should be aware of the increase in ticks in the state.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

"We're sort of on the edge of an invasion," Northwest Mosquito Abatement District Medical Entomologist Patrick Irwin said.

Irwin said of the nearly 250 square miles that he covers, almost half of the ticks they surveillance we're positive for Lyme disease.

"When we looked at the number of ticks that we got, you know, four years ago, it was very small compared to what we're seeing now," Irwin said.

A new study out of the University of Illinois shows multiple counties recording three different types of ticks: the lone star tick, the dog tick and the black legged tick.

"I'm seeing lone star ticks and even gulf coast ticks, which have b