Tick Tips
It’s tick season in Michigan. I’ve pulled countless ticks off our pets (and us) this spring already, and as temperatures warm due to climate change, it will only increase the prevalence of this fascinating—and sometimes freaky—species.
I have a deep love and fascination for all of Earth’s insects, but there are a few that give me the heebie jeebies. Pulling a tick off a pet is vastly different from pulling a tick out of my hair. Getting a tick bite isn’t fun, and if ticks could fly, I’d never go outside.
It’s not just the unpleasantness of a bite that gives me pause; ticks can carry infectious diseases. The prevalence of Lyme disease has risen a staggering 168% in the last five years, with Anaplasmosis increasing almost 500% in that same time frame. These are just two of the known tickborne diseases.
Having a healthy awareness for ticks, and knowing how to address them, is key to enjoying the outdoors safely.
How to Remove Ticks
If you find a tick attached to you, a loved one, or a pet, don’t panic. Find a pair of tweezers or a tick key.
Gently secure the tick with the tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
Slowly, with even pressure, pull the tick free.
Inspect the tick and the bite area to ensure the tick’s head is still intact. Secure the tick in a bag.
Immediately wash the area of the bite if possible.
If a rash or fever occurs within several days or weeks, seek medical assistance. Bring the tick with you.
Preparing a tick kit is an easy way to deal with a tick quickly. Tweezers, a tick key, a resealable plastic bag, alcohol wipes, and emergency hand sanitizer are all you need to deal with a tick bite in the field.
Early symptoms can be nonspecific and include fever or chills, rash, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications. Learn more about emerging disease issues in Michigan.
Tick Tips
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.
Ticks are sneaky! They’re small and easy to miss. Before coming back inside, check yourself and any companions (human or otherwise) thoroughly. If your friend has paws, make sure to check between their toes and under their arms and legs. Ticks like to hide in crevices or in areas were skin is close together.
The best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites. When you’re going outside, make sure to:
Wear long sleeves and long pants.
Preferably in light colors, which makes ticks easier to spot.
Wear a good insect spray.
Tuck your pants and socks.
This creates a barrier to your skin and lowers the chance of a tick attaching.
Avoid grassy, brushy, or wooded areas.
If you’re out in the field, walk in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaf litter at the trail edges.
Prepare a tick kit ahead of time.
Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors.
Try to do this within two hours to wash off and more easily find ticks that might be crawling on you.
Tick Facts
Ticks are an arachnid, in the same class as spiders and scorpions. They are a type of parasite , an important ecological role, and feed only on blood. As parasites, they spread diseases to their hosts, which help keep animal populations in check.
Ticks are an indicator of ecosystem health. An overabundance of ticks may indicate that populations of opossums, birds, frogs, squirrels, and other species that predate ticks are low in the area. A healthy awareness for ticks is important for noting the changes in our ecosystems.
Practicing phenology—the study of seasonal cycles and the timing of biological events in the natural world—is how we see the patterns of change across time and understand just how much we’re affecting the world around us.
Want less ticks? Provide some habitat for tick-eating wildlife, plant native, and advocate for science-based climate policies.
