District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is reminding everyone to exercise proper precautions to prevent human-tick interaction. 

Areas across Michigan, including Northern Michigan, generally see an increase in tick activity once the weather becomes nicer and people head outdoors to enjoy nature. “Tick-borne diseases, like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, are on the rise state-wide,” said Michael Kramer, DHD#10 Environmental Health Director.  

To decrease your chances of getting bitten by a tick, take these precautions: 

• Being aware of your surroundings. Most tick encounters happen in shady, moist wooded and grassy areas and fields near wooded areas.  
• Applying EPA-registered insect repellent that contains 20% or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, to skin or clothing according to label’s instructions.  
• Wearing clothing that has been treated with permethrin. 
• Walking in the center of trails and avoid walking in areas with tall grass and brush. 
• Conducting a full-body check of yourself and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.  
• Drying clothing on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any remaining ticks. 
• Taking a shower as soon as you can after coming indoors. 
• Talking to your vet about tick bite prevention products for your pets.  

Michigan also offers tick identification resources to residents and visitors for free. Physical ticks can be placed in a container and mailed to MDHHS, or photos may be submitted to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov  

For more information about ticks, please visit: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/mitracking/ticks. 

Questions regarding ticks and other vectors should be directed to DHD#10’s Environmental Health Division at 888-217-3904.