Heading Up North Soon? Tick Encounters Rising As Michigan Weather Warms

TRAVERSE CITY (WWJ/AP) - Warmer weather across northern Michigan is bringing unwelcome pests that bite -- possibly in record numbers.

Lauren Silver, who works with the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy, said she and her co-workers are seeing more ticks now than last summer.

"We've only been working the field reason for four days so far and definitely have seen more ticks this year just in one week then we did all summer last year," Silver told TV station WPBN-WTOM.

Data is being collected on the tick population, but May is the peak time for encounters with the bugs.

Several types are common in northern Michigan, but deer ticks carry Lyme Disease which can cause muscle weakness, numbness and heart problems if it reaches advanced stages. Symptoms include headache, fever and joint pain.

Limiting the amount of exposed skin while in the woods is recommended, but officials  say the bugs shouldn't stop you from enjoying the outdoors.

Experts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest using caution when camping, hiking, playing outdoors and gardening. Ticks like moist, humid environments in or near woody or grassy areas. The CDC suggests wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks and treating clothing and boots with DEET repellents or permethrin.

Michigan State University Extension small fruit educator Duke Elsner said ticks embedded in the skin should be removed by their heads.

To remove a tick, health officials say to use tweezers, grabbing it as close to the skin as possible and pulling it straight out slowly, making sure its mouth parts are removed. Then, thoroughly cleanse the skin and apply an antiseptic.

CLICK HERE for more information about different types of ticks from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

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