One area in New Jersey has been given a bite risk rating of 9 out of 10, among the highest in the state. The threat is highest in the northern section of the state, especially for children under the age of 10 and adults over the age of 70, who are most at risk.

Emergency room visits for tick bites are at a six-year high. Here’s how to prevent tick bites, and what to do if you get bitten.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July has already seen the highest number of tick-related emergency room visits since 2017.

“The best place for ticks is your armpits and groin because they are warm, moist, and a good source of blood,” says pest control expert Jordan Foster. These spots also have thinner skin and are dark and secluded, prime feeding environments for ticks, agrees dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD, founder of Visha Skincare.