The Lenawee County Health Department (LCHD) reminds residents that ticks are currently active across the county and the state of Michigan, and encourages the community to take preventive steps to reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease.
Lyme disease cases are rising in Lenawee County. As of July 1, 2025, 10 cases have already been reported. If this trend continues, the county could see up to 20 cases by year’s end, the highest number in the past five years. This represents a 25% increase from the 16 cases reported in 2024 and a projected 67% increase since 2021.
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the blacklegged tick (also known as deer ticks). It is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States and it is spreading throughout Michigan, including here in Lenawee County.
Not all ticks carry diseases, but some can transmit serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease, which can be severe or even fatal if not properly diagnosed and treated. Symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after a tick bite and may be mild or non-specific at first. These can include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, or a rash. Prompt treatment with antibiotics significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Preventing tick-borne illness includes both avoiding bites and removing ticks quickly if found. If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it promptly and monitor your health. If you develop symptoms, such as fever, rash, or muscle or joint pain, or suspect a tick was attached for more than 24 hours, contact your healthcare provider.
Residents can protect themselves from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses by following these tips:
Avoid Tick-Infested Areas
- Ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas. When hiking or walking outdoors, stay in the center of trails to avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush, and leaf litter along the edges.
- Pets can pick up ticks and bring them indoors. Talk to your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention for dogs and cats.
Use Insect Repellent
- Apply an 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 found here.
- Treat clothes (especially pants, socks and shoes) with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact or buy clothes that are pre-treated. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying repellents.
Perform Daily Tick Checks
- Check yourself, your children, and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors, even in your own yard.
- Carefully inspect all body areas, especially behind the ears, around the waist, and behind knees.
- If you find an attached tick, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible. With steady, even pressure, pull upward. Clean the bite area with soap and water or an antiseptic.
Bathe or Shower
- Bathe or shower as soon as possible after being outdoors, ideally within two hours, to help wash off ticks and make it easier to spot them.
- Wash clothing in hot water and tumble dry on high heat to kill any ticks that may be on your clothes.
Protect yourself by using insect repellent, checking for ticks after outdoor activities, and contacting your healthcare provider if you feel unwell after a tick bite.
You can submit a tick or “tick pic” to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to have an expert help identify what kinds of ticks you find or download “The Tick App” to show you how to avoid ticks and tick-borne diseases. Find more information about emerging vector-borne illnesses at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.