KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A mild winter has drawn oak mites out of hibernation earlier than expected.

Extension agent Dennis Patton said the mites never did go fully dormant. He said there have been lots of reports of people getting bit while raking leaves and cleanup for spring.

The fear is that the problem will get worse this fall. But he said other summer factors such as temperatures and rainfall affect the pest’s reproduction so it’s difficult to say whether there will be another severe outbreak like last winter.

He recommends people wear long sleeves and spray bug repellant to avoid being bit.

Patton said there is no way to spray for the bugs because they can hide within the tree ridges.