The season of tick activity in Moscow may become almost all year round. The reason for this is warming, because of which the danger of these parasites will be less predictable according to the calendar and expand geographically, the ecologist warned. In a conversation with the agency in Moscow, he said that ticks are not "harvests". They have two mechanisms: diapause, meaning a genetically programmed break in development, and dormancy, in which activity decreases under unfavorable conditions. Even with a slight warming, for example up to +4 degrees, they can "wake up" and crawl out in search of food. Due to warming, the parasite's range may expand in northern latitudes as the climate there becomes more suitable. In addition, long periods of activity of the "hosts" - deer, rodents and birds - contribute to the establishment of ticks in new territories. Photo: Antonina Markova.

The season of tick activity in Moscow may become almost all year round. The reason for this is warming, because of which the danger of these parasites will be less predictable according to the calendar and expand geographically, the ecologist warned. In a conversation with the agency in Moscow, he said that ticks are not "harvests". They have two mechanisms: diapause, meaning a genetically programmed break in development, and dormancy, in which activity decreases under unfavorable conditions. Even with a slight warming, for example up to +4 degrees, they can "wake up" and crawl out in search of food. Due to warming, the parasite's range may expand in northern latitudes as the climate there becomes more suitable. In addition, long periods of activity of the "hosts" - deer, rodents and birds - contribute to the establishment of ticks in new territories. Photo: Antonina Markova.