With the onset of summer fast approaching, the Macomb County Health Department would like to inform residents that ticks are currently active in Macomb County and across the state of Michigan, and that there are steps and actions that can be taken to prevent illnesses spread by ticks, such as Lyme disease.

"Through our surveillance efforts over the past several years, we have continued to see expansion and spread of ticks throughout southeast Michigan and Macomb County," said Tom Barnes, division director of the Macomb County Health Department's Environmental Health Division. "So as we start to spend more and more time outdoors in the spring and summer, we all need to be mindful of the presence of ticks and some of the strategies to avoid tick bites, and potentially, Lyme disease."

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria and is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks). The presence of the blacklegged tick in Michigan is growing. In fact, based on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' 2026 Michigan Lyme Disease Risk Map, 82 of Michigan's 83 counties have a known risk for Lyme disease, or potential risk for Lyme disease. Local surveillance efforts by the Macomb County Health Department on blacklegged ticks that were collected in 2022, 2023, and 2024 tested positive for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Test results on blacklegged ticks that were collected in 2025 are currently not available.

In addition to increased evidence of ticks in surveillance efforts, there has been a recent escalation in cases of Lyme disease in Macomb County. For the years 2022 - 2024, Macomb County averaged 12 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease. In 2025, there were 21 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease in Macomb County - a 75% increase in cases.

Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before Lyme disease can be transmitted. Because of this, doing a full-body check to find and remove ticks after spending time outdoors is important. Ticks should be removed by grasping the tick with fine-tipped tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pulling upward with steady, even pressure.

If someone is bitten by a tick that is suspected or confirmed to be a blacklegged tick, they should call their healthcare provider. Not all species of ticks carry diseases, but tick-related diseases like Lyme disease do occur in Michigan and can be serious or fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated. To identify a tick, you can submit a picture of the tick to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through their Got a Tick? Submit a Pic! Program.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, and fatigue. Many people, but not all, will get a characteristic "bull's-eye" skin rash. If untreated, infections can become serious. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Here are some suggestions to help avoid ticks:

Before You Go Outdoors:

• Know where to expect ticks. Blacklegged ticks are commonly found on low forest vegetation, often along human and animal trails.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and tuck pants into socks. Wear boots or shoes instead of sandals.
• Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or you can buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. To help find the repellent that is right for you, the EPA has a search tool that can be helpful.

After You Come Indoors:

• Check your clothing for ticks. 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.
• Examine gear and pets. Ticks can get into the home on coats, clothing, pets, and daypacks.
• Check your body and your child's body for ticks after being outdoors: under the arms, in and around the hair and ears, inside the belly button, the waist and back, back of the knees and between the legs and pelvic area.
• Showering within two hours of coming indoors may help wash off unattached ticks; it is also a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have a number of tick-related resources and suggestions to prevent tick bites

The Macomb County Health Department is actively monitoring the population of ticks in the county to identify any changes or migration. Learn more at our Tick surveillance web page

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services information and resources on ticks and Lyme disease

Images of tick surveillance

Scott Turske

[email protected]