There are over 20 known tick species in Michigan that can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites
. Ticks feed on wildlife, but people may
be bitten when they work or play in areas where ticks live. Ticks can
be found in grassy shorelines, wooded areas, or fields near wooded areas. Ticks are not usually found indoors, unless they
are carried on the clothing of people or the body of a pet.
Livingston County is now designated as a county with known risk for Lyme disease.
This means blacklegged (deer) ticks with Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) have
been found and/or at least two human exposures occurred.
Lyme disease
is caused by the bacteria and
is passed to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged tick.
If you have been bit by a tick in the last 30 days and have a fever, headache, fatigue, rash, muscle or joint pain, or facial paralysis, see your doctor. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.
Peak transmission season for Lyme disease is April through September.
For health related questions call 517.546.9850.
LCHD has the expertise to identify ticks. If you find a tick and want it identified, you may submit a photo. Please follow the instructions below. To remove the live tick as instructed under "Removing a Tick" (see below).
Instructions for Submitting a Tick for Identification:
- In a well-lit room, place the tick on a plain white or light colored surface.
- Focus the camera as close as possible to the tick, it is important that the picture is not blurry.
- Take picture # 1.
- Flip the tick over and focus camera again ensuring picture is not blurry.
- Take picture # 2.
- Email the 2 photos to health@livgov.com and include the following information in the body of the email:
- Name of submitter, phone, email address
- Date the tick was collected
- Indicate if the tick was attached to (pick one): Person, Animal, Other
- Location where the tick exposure probably occurred: Home/Yard, School, Park/Recreation Area
- Specific location where tick exposure probably occurred: City, County, State
If your unable to submit a picture, please call 517.546.9858 for further instructions.