As Monadnock Region residents start to soak up the sun this spring, state health experts are reminding people to stay vigilant against ticks.

Though tick exposure can occur year-round, the bugs — which are known for carrying Lyme and other diseases — are most active during warmer months, usually starting in New Hampshire in the spring.

The Granite State’s tick population began increasing a bit earlier than normal this year, around March, likely due to the warmer winter, according to Marco Notarangelo, the vectorborne disease surveillance coordinator for the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services.

This is reflected in data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tracks the number of emergency department visits for tick bites (per 100,000 emergency department visits) nationwide per month. In the Northeast, visits jumped from 19 per 100,000 visits in February to 69 in March, continuing to increase over the early spring, with the figure at 198 so far in May.

To avoid a tick bite and the diseases they may carry, it’s imperative to be prepared when heading into tick environments, such as grassy or wooded areas, state health experts say.

Here’s what you should know about keeping away ticks, and what to do if you get a bite:

■Wear the right clothing. Even in warmer temperatures, it’s recommended people wear long-sleeve shirts and pants — and tuck the pants into long socks — when in tick-heavy areas to avoid a tick bite, Notarangelo said. It’s also advised to wear light-colored clothing to make ticks more visible.

■Throw outdoor clothes in the dryer. Notarangelo explained that ticks are vulnerable to dry and low humidity conditions, so putting the clothes worn outside in the dryer will help get any ticks off. He also recommends taking a shower after being outdoors to get any ticks that might be stuck to the skin.

■Use an EPA-registered tick repellent. There are various bug sprays on the market, but repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or other EPA-registered repellents work best against ticks, health experts say. The EPA has a search tool to help people find sprays.

■Stay on clear outdoor paths. If exploring in areas where ticks are often present, it’s best to stay on trails or paths and avoid environments like tall grasses, brush or wooded areas.

■Check yourself for ticks once inside. People should check their entire body for ticks after being outdoors, including under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button and behind the knees, according to the CDC. Notarangelo noted to check any pets and children, too.

■Use tweezers to remove ticks. If someone does find a tick, Notarangelo said the best way to remove it is with fine-tip tweezers. He said people should grab the tick by its mouth and pull it straight forward in a gentle motion, making sure not to twist the tick. If part of the tick breaks off, apply an antiseptic and it will eventually fall out, Notarangelo noted.

■Talk with a primary-care provider about disease symptoms. Anyone who suspects they may have Lyme or other tickborne diseases should contact their primary-care provider. Their doctor can perform the proper testing and prescribe any needed medications, according to Dr. Aalok Khole, an infectious disease physician at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene. Common symptoms include fever, chills, aches and a bullseye-looking rash for Lyme disease, the CDC says.

■Utilize national tools. The CDC has an interactive tool on its website, Tick Bite Bot, which helps people remove ticks, and also leads users through a series of questions to help determine whether they should seek medical care after a tick bite.