EAST LANSING, Mich. – When it comes to tracking ticks, Dr. Jean Tsao is on the front lines.
As a researcher and associate profession at Michigan State University, she is often found dragging a cloth through various spots in Michigan, collecting ticks to take back to the lab.
"We found that the Lyme disease tick had been spreading up the coast, along Lake Michigan, and we found them to be spreading there much more quickly than they were spreading inland towards East Lansing," said Tsao.
In Michigan, it's the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, that can carry Lyme disease. Tsao's research found as the ticks were moving, so were cases of Lyme disease.
"As the ticks were spreading in southern, Lower Peninsula, Michigan, it seems like the number of cases of Lyme disease also have been increasing," said Tsao.
While ticks are still far more common Up North and on the western side of the state, their numbers have been slowly increasing in Southeast Michigan too.
"I believe that in the future, most of the counties in Michigan will have established blacklegged ticks," said Tsao.
How are they moving? Ticks can't fly. They're hitching a ride on animals like deer, chipmunks and birds.
"If the white-tail deer happens to be moving miles, then the white-tailed deer may drop that tick off in a new area," explained Tsao. "Ticks use all sorts of different hosts and that's part of how they're so successful for moving around."
A single female tick can lay 1,000 eggs.
Ticks have three stages of life -- larvae, nymphs and adults. Blacklegged nymphs, the 'teenage' ticks, are the size of a poppy seed. Adults are closer in size to a sesame seed.
Tsao says this time of year is actually more risky for Lyme disease because the nymph stage is most active. Although nymphs are less likely to carry Lyme disease, they're much harder to spot on your body.
"Even though only 20 percent, 25 percent of them are affected compared to 50 percent of the adults, most Lyme disease cases occur due to the bite of an infected nymph, and that's in part because they're so small," said Tsao.
Mild winters may also be contributing to the increase in ticks. More ticks die when the winters are cold and icy. A cover of snow actually helps them survive.
The blacklegged tick is just one.
Worst year ever for ticks in Michigan?
Some experts have predicted this could be the worst year ever for ticks in Michigan. Tsao says that may be true for years to come.
"As the tick has been spreading in Michigan, it is true that every year is going to be a worse tick year than the previous year," said Tsao. "We can predict that next year, maybe the same or worse than this year with the increase in the number of ticks because they are spreading into more counties.
Tsao wants people to be aware that they need to check themselves, their children and their pets for ticks. Tick repellent can reduce the risk of getting bit, but if you do, save the tick to be tested identified and tested.
"Ticks are here to stay," said Tsao. "I just want to make sure people know that the risk is here but don't panic. Don't panic, still enjoy being outside. It's much better still to enjoy being outdoors, but you just have to be aware and take proper precautions and don't throw the tick out."
Tick photos and video courtesy of Dr. Graham Hickling, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Helpful tick resources:
- To see the five most common ticks in Michigan, click here.
- For a printable guide to ticks in Michigan and instructions on how to remove a tick, click here.
- For a Tick Identification Guide or to submit a picture to be identified, click here.
- To learn more about having a tick tested in Michigan, click here.