Ticks are always a concern close to the mind of wildlife biologists and medical providers, especially as the pest continuously expands north to the Leelanau Peninsula.
“Black leg ticks are active anytime over 35 degrees... I’ve already found some on my dog already” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore wildlife biologist Vince Cavalieri said. “Warming trends over the past couple of decades is contributing to tick being prevalent and moving north.”
The mild winter could lead to an intense tick season, especially in early spring, according to Cavaleri.
Two factors will play into this.
“They like it moist but they don’t like it dry” he said. “It’s been a dry winter and that’s not good for ticks. It’s difficult to say for sure which (weather condition) will prevail.”
SBDNL isn’t expecting any new species of ticks to appear in 2024, but scientists across the state are turning its head to the southernly Lonestar Tick which is moving north and monitored in southwest Michigan.
Ticks prefer grassy and tall vegetative areas that are moist.
“Sitting on logs is a great way to get ticks. Limit your exposure to those types of places,” Cavaleri said. “It takes some time for Lyme Disease to get in your system and if you can find (ticks) right away soon after attachment, your chances are better.” The blacklegged tick is known to transmit
Lyme disease that is becoming more common in Michigan. It is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United
States.
Typical clinical signs include flu-like symptoms however, if left untreated may spread to joints, the heart, and/or the nervous system. The majority of cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
In 2023, Benzie and Leelanau combined for 35 cases, a three case rise from 32 in 2022.
Characteristics of Lyme disease include a bullseye rash that develops within three to 30 days.
There are over 20 known tick species in Michigan. Several species of ticks are known to bite people and pets and may harbor dangerous bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Not all ticks carry diseases, but tickrelated diseases such as Lyme disease do occur in Michigan and can be serious or fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated.
Dr. William Britton, veteran medical director at Munson emergency department, says the health system has noted the uptick in ticks and tick related diseases during his six years with the hospital.
“I love to spend time outside and take the kids and pets and we are seeing more and more ticks,” Britton said. “As a physician, we are seeing more cases of Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses.”
Tick is nature’s great villain, according to Britton.
Other tick borne illnesses include anaplasmosis and babesiosis, to name a few. All have similar symptoms including flulike symptoms, fever, body chills and aches, headaches.
Munson doesn’t have its own statistics on Lyme disease, but Britton says there’s a rise in Lyme Disease cases higher than the reported number.
“People shouldn’t find comfort in the little number (23 cases in Leelanau) ... Most experts think that instance is 10 times that number.”
The cautious outlook is to do with Lyme Disease testing that can be unreliable.
“The number one way to treat is to prevent a tick bite,” he said.
Britton added that people should prioritize treating clothes as the most effective treatment using Permethrin, unlike DEET, the common bug spray.
“Treat all of the outside and inside 8-to-10 inches of clothing, especially on the pants, and treat your shoes monthly,” Britton continued. “Dry clothes on high for 10 minutes when returning from outside and make sure to check daily ... (Especially) When going to the bathroom.”
Ticks come in all shapes and sizes from as small as a poppy seed to a lady bug. A deer tick is active when there is no snow on the ground and when the ground is not frozen.
Another tip from Britton is showering after returning from an outdoor adventure. It is safe to assumed that every hike or extensive play time outside could involve a tick interaction, according to Britton.
Ticks love to live on the edge of a forest and Britton suggests that cleaning debris around a property line and spraying to knock down the population.
“If you do find a tick we recommend people carry some point tweezers, a zip lock bag and remove tick as fast as possible and keep for identifiable,” he said.
The Munson emergency department has tick kits free of charge to help identify and test ticks. Other resources include there are multiple other avenues to do this including resources like the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and tickencounter.com.
Britton also says to stay away from some of the myths.
“Ticks don’t jump or fly, and they are designed to crawl up,” he said. “To remove use pliers grab it by the mouth and pull straight up.”
A gardening tip about ticks is that they love the invasive Japanese Barberry plant, which is a tick magnet. Remove those and get that off the property as soon as possible, according to Britton.
Ticks come in three sizes and they are all capable of transmitting Lyme disease from small to big.
“Remove a tick and talk to your doctor about it, especially if you are having flu-like symptoms and certainly the classic bullseye rash and tick bite,” the doctor said.
