Thanks to the mild weather and its effect on ticks, and their ecosystem, tick season is starting early—and spreading further—this year.  Recent reports in Pill Advised, The New York Times and Scientific American highlight the potential negative public health impact the rise in tick-borne disease could have on the Northeast.

Luckily, at the end of last year’s tick season, Tula Karras and I crafted this comprehensive guide to fighting off ticks and mosquitoes without dousing yourself in DEET. Here, the best ways to protect yourself without exposure to too many chemicals.