Ticks are everywhere this year. Some tick bites can cause sickness. Preventing bites is the best way to stay safe.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends the following prevention strategies:

Prevent tick bites this season and stay safe

As ticks live in grassy, brushy and wooded areas, individuals should walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter at trail edges.

• Dogs and cats can come into contact with ticks outdoors and bring them into the home. Consult a veterinarian about the best tick prevention products to protect pets.

Use insect repellent.

• Apply an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin. Find a repellent product that is right for you.
• Treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.

Bathe or shower.

• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that might be crawling on you.
• Wash clothing in hot water and dry on high heat to kill ticks in clothing.

If you do find a tick on your pet, child, or yourself, don’t panic. Not all ticks can cause illness.

According to MDHHS, Michiganders who find a tick attached to their body should take the following steps:

• Promptly remove the tick by grasping firmly with tweezers and pulling upwards.
• While we do not recommend laboratory testing of ticks for diseases, we encourage residents to take a photo submit to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification.
• If the tick is identified as a deer tick, and you suspect it was attached for more than 36 hours, speak to your health care provider about whether any additional measures are needed. You may also use the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tool “Tick Bite Bot” for additional guidance.
• Monitor for symptoms. If you begin to experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite, you should consult a medical provider.

MDHHS says that signs and symptoms of tick-borne disease typically begin one to two weeks after a tick bite, often after being in wooded or brushy areas where ticks commonly live. Early symptoms can be non-specific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.

The MDHHS Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Section has published the 2024 Michigan Lyme Disease Risk Map.

Not all ticks spread the same germs. MDHHS can help to identify ticks you may encounter outdoors. Residents can email photos of ticks to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov for identification or submit ticks to MDHHS for identification. For more information on how to submit your tick and/or photos and information on ticks, visit Michigan.gov/Lyme.

For additional information on Lyme disease, visit CDC.gov/Lyme.

Press Release Provided by MDHHS. Story by Jennie McClelland for BlueWaterParent.com