Definition of three seasons
We defined three seasons: season 1 for early spring (beginning of nymph activity and of small mammal reproduction), season 2 for the end of spring/early summer (peak of nymph activity and of small mammal reproduction) and season 3 for end of summer/early autumn (decrease of nymph and small mammal abundance levels). Given the small number of positives, we grouped data per season.
For small mammals, season 1 corresponded to the captures of April; season 2 grouped the captures of early June and July; and season 3 grouped the captures of early September and October. For each season, we listed each small mammal individuals captured along with its tick infestation status, TBEV seropositive status, and the number of captures (one or two). An individual was considered to be infested by ticks and TBEV seropositive in season 2 (respectively season 3) if it was found to be infested by at least one tick and TBEV seropositive in June or/and July (respectively in September or/and October). Similarly, an individual found to be infested by ticks or TBEV seropositive in at least one of the five trapping sessions of the year (from April to October) was considered positive in the year.
For questing ticks, season 1 corresponded to data for early May; season 2 grouped data for early June and July; and season 3 grouped data for early August, September and October.