Protect Yourself from Ticks
While the warming weather is refreshing after this year’s long winter, humans aren’t the only ones to enjoy it. Pests are once again coming out of the woodwork, and ticks are of particular concern for anyone who spends time outdoors.
Ticks are small parasitic arachnids that survive by attaching themselves to mammals, birds, and reptiles and feeding off their blood. Unfortunately, ticks’ parasitic nature is more than just an annoyance. They're also known vectors of multiple diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and encephalitis. To make things worse, global warming is causing them to become increasingly active, in turn ramping up the risk of tick-borne infections. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 451 cases of Lyme disease reported in Michigan in 2020; in 2021, there were 878.
That being said, there are things you can do to protect yourself while outdoors this summer.
Avoid Tick-Heavy Areas. It seems obvious, but it’s easy to inadvertently wander into tick-infested areas. Of Michigan’s five most common tick species, all tend to gravitate toward wooded or grassy habitats. If you do venture into wilderness areas and there are dirt or gravel paths available, stick to the center of them to minimize your risk of picking up unwanted hitchhikers.
Take Reasonable Precautions. Tick encounters are sometimes unavoidable, including when spending time in your own backyard. The CDC recommends using an insect repellant that contains either DEET or picaridin for maximum protection. Products containing permethrin can also be used to treat clothing and gear. Aside from chemical repellants, you can tuck your pant legs into your socks to create a physical barrier from any ticks that might attach to your shoes. Because ticks thrive in tall grass, it’s also a good idea to maintain your yard.
Check Yourself When You Come Indoors. As soon as possible after coming back indoors, check your gear, clothing, and body (including your scalp) carefully. A handheld mirror or phone camera can be helpful when checking hard-to-reach areas. Remember that ticks like moisture, so be sure to cover any places where you accumulate sweat. Ticks can be the size of a pinhead and easy to miss, but showering can be a good way to wash off anything you may have overlooked in your inspection.
Remove Any Ticks You Find. If you do find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as closely as possible to the skin's surface. Gently pull upward with steady pressure. Be careful not to twist or crush the tick, as doing so can cause its mouthparts to detach while still in your skin; if this does happen, remove the mouthparts with the tweezer if possible, and let the skin heal naturally if not. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite with soap and water or disinfectant.
Protect Your Animals Too! Same as humans, dogs, cats, and other animals are vulnerable to tick bites. April is usually a good time of year to see your veterinarian and get any prescriptions you might need for tick preventative measures, including medications or topical treatments. Check your outdoor pets regularly for ticks throughout the spring and summer seasons, and monitor them for any signs of tick-borne illness, including fatigue, loss of appetite, or skin lesions. Get them in to your vet right away if there’s a chance they might have been infected.
Ticks can be active in any temperature above freezing, so take appropriate measures even on cooler days.
Like mosquito bites, it’s very possible for a tick bite to go unnoticed. If you experience any symptoms commonly associated with tick-borne diseases, practice caution and talk to your doctor. Diseases like Lyme disease can be easily treated if they’re caught early enough, so the sooner you seek help the better.
Don't let ticks stop you from enjoying the outdoors! A little prevention can go a long way.
Ticks are small parasitic arachnids that survive by attaching themselves to mammals, birds, and reptiles and feeding off their blood. Unfortunately, ticks’ parasitic nature is more than just an annoyance. They're also known vectors of multiple diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and encephalitis. To make things worse, global warming is causing them to become increasingly active, in turn ramping up the risk of tick-borne infections. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, there were 451 cases of Lyme disease reported in Michigan in 2020; in 2021, there were 878.
That being said, there are things you can do to protect yourself while outdoors this summer.
Avoid Tick-Heavy Areas. It seems obvious, but it’s easy to inadvertently wander into tick-infested areas. Of Michigan’s five most common tick species, all tend to gravitate toward wooded or grassy habitats. If you do venture into wilderness areas and there are dirt or gravel paths available, stick to the center of them to minimize your risk of picking up unwanted hitchhikers.
Take Reasonable Precautions. Tick encounters are sometimes unavoidable, including when spending time in your own backyard. The CDC recommends using an insect repellant that contains either DEET or picaridin for maximum protection. Products containing permethrin can also be used to treat clothing and gear. Aside from chemical repellants, you can tuck your pant legs into your socks to create a physical barrier from any ticks that might attach to your shoes. Because ticks thrive in tall grass, it’s also a good idea to maintain your yard.
Check Yourself When You Come Indoors. As soon as possible after coming back indoors, check your gear, clothing, and body (including your scalp) carefully. A handheld mirror or phone camera can be helpful when checking hard-to-reach areas. Remember that ticks like moisture, so be sure to cover any places where you accumulate sweat. Ticks can be the size of a pinhead and easy to miss, but showering can be a good way to wash off anything you may have overlooked in your inspection.
Remove Any Ticks You Find. If you do find a tick attached to your skin, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as closely as possible to the skin's surface. Gently pull upward with steady pressure. Be careful not to twist or crush the tick, as doing so can cause its mouthparts to detach while still in your skin; if this does happen, remove the mouthparts with the tweezer if possible, and let the skin heal naturally if not. Once the tick is removed, clean the bite with soap and water or disinfectant.
Protect Your Animals Too! Same as humans, dogs, cats, and other animals are vulnerable to tick bites. April is usually a good time of year to see your veterinarian and get any prescriptions you might need for tick preventative measures, including medications or topical treatments. Check your outdoor pets regularly for ticks throughout the spring and summer seasons, and monitor them for any signs of tick-borne illness, including fatigue, loss of appetite, or skin lesions. Get them in to your vet right away if there’s a chance they might have been infected.
Ticks can be active in any temperature above freezing, so take appropriate measures even on cooler days.
Like mosquito bites, it’s very possible for a tick bite to go unnoticed. If you experience any symptoms commonly associated with tick-borne diseases, practice caution and talk to your doctor. Diseases like Lyme disease can be easily treated if they’re caught early enough, so the sooner you seek help the better.
Don't let ticks stop you from enjoying the outdoors! A little prevention can go a long way.