The Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis, also known as the deer tick) has become common in Michigan throughout the past 20 years. Blacklegged ticks are known for carrying the bacteria ,Borrelia burgdorferi, that has the potential to transmit Lyme disease. Changing weather patterns have allowed established populations of blacklegged ticks to flourish throughout western Michigan. Slowly, Blacklegged tick populations have been growing and expanding to eastern Michigan. Macomb County has been monitoring for the blacklegged tick since 2018. Established populations of Blacklegged ticks can be found within Macomb County. In 2021 Blacklegged ticks collected in Macomb County tested positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Transmission of Lyme disease typically occurs between April and September when ticks are most active.
Macomb County provides the following services:
- Tick identification
- Educational resources for better protecting yourself and pets
- Continued monitoring for populations of black legged ticks
Prevention
Before you go outdoors
- Know where to expect ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, or even on animals. Spending time outside walking your dog, camping, gardening, or hunting could bring you in close contact with ticks. Many people have ticks in their own yard or neighborhood.
- Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
- Use EPA registered insect repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. EPA’s helpful search tool can help you find the product that best suits your needs. Always follow product instructions. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
- Avoid contact with ticks. Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails.
After you come indoors
- Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks.
- Examine gear and pets. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, and daypacks.
- Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing the risk of other tickborne diseases. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
- Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, including your own backyard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:
- Under the arms
- In and around the ears
- Inside belly button
- Back of the knees
- In and around the hair
- Between the legs
- Around the waist
Residents are encouraged to take precautions to avoid ticks and perform tick checks after spending time outdoors. Prompt removal of ticks can help prevent infections.
Tick testing, identification and submission
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Macomb County Health Department do not provide tick testing. Ticks can be submitted to the state for identification only. Ticks can be identified by emailing photos or mailing the ticks to the MDHHS lab. See the instructions for taking and submitting good tick photos to ensure accurate identification. See the five most common ticks found within Michigan to help you identify your tick. If you would like to submit your tick by mail, you can pick up a free tick submission kit from the Environmental Health Services Division office at 43525 Elizabeth Road in Mt. Clemens Michigan. Please call our office at 586-469-5236 before coming so we can have a kit ready for you. Please do not bring ticks to the office.
If you have been bitten by a tick and are developing symptoms of illness, please reach out to your primary care physician.
Additional resources
Contact the Environmental Health Services Division
Mount Clemens: 586-469-5236 | Email: environmental.health@macombgov.org