Basic Tick Info

Basic Tick Information

In Michigan, there are three ticks that individuals who venture outdoors should be aware of. The ticks that people in Michigan are most likely to be bitten by are the American Dog Tick, the Black-Legged Tick and the Lone Star Tick. The Dog tick is easily distinguished from other species of ticks, because they have white markings on their back. The Black Legged tick does not have the white markings on it. Lastly, the Lone Star tick is distinguished from the other two ticks, by the female Lone Star tick having a silvery white spot that looks like the shape of Texas on its back. If you are bitten by a tick, you should always save the tick to show your physician so they can identify it. Additionally you can send your tick in to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to be tested and identified.

( Link to further information on Tick Testing )

Black-Legged Tick or Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis) 

The Black-Legged Tick, more commonly referred to as the Deer Tick, is the tick in Michigan known to carry Lyme Disease. The Black-Legged tick is generally a brown-black color and has no significant markings on it. They are commonly found in the Northeastern United States, in wooded areas or tall grasses.  The Black Legged Tick has a 2 year life cycle. It starts off in it’s larval stage hosting on small mammals such as mice or chipmunks. It will then grow, after its first feeding, in size to the nymph stage. This is the stage where the tick will attach to humans if possible and can spread Lyme disease. From here the tick grows into it’s adult stage and will attach onto a larger mammal, such as a White-tail deer, and then lay its eggs.

MSU site on the Deer Tick

Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum)

 
MSU site on the Lone Star tick

The Lone Star Tick is found throughout eastern, southeastern, south-central, and recently northeastern states. This tick will aggressively feed on humans in all stages of its life stages, and is known to cause the STARI disease, which is a rash or lesion not associated with Lyme disease. It can also transmit the Alpha-Gal allergy, which in some cases results in an allergy to meat. The Lone Star tick is not known to transmit Lyme disease. This tick has also been associated with transmitting other tick-born diseases such as Tick Paralysis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia.

 American Dog Tick ( Dermacentor variabilis ) 

The American Dog Tick is the most commonly found tick in Michigan. They do not transmit Lyme disease, and very rarely does a Dog Tick’s bite transmit any serious disease. The Dog tick like many other ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. While this disease is not very common it has occurred in some of the southern counties in Michigan.

More Information on the Dog Tick

Alpha-gal allergy
Link to more information on the Alpha-Gal Allergy
This disease can be caused by the bite of a Lone Star Tick. The disease makes the person with it have allergic reactions to meat, specifically from mammals. The allergy is transmitted to the host when the tick releases the alpha gal into the skin. The immune system reacts to the alpha gal entering the body, and this reaction causes an allergy to the consumption of mammal meat. Unlike most allergies, alpha gal may go away if you are not bitten by another infected tick. The recovery process can take anywhere from 8 months to 5 years.

Lyme Disease
The CDC’s PDF brochure on Lyme Disease
Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) is spread to humans via the bite of an infected black legged (deer) tick. Symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and a very distinct bulls eye rash or lesion. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Ticks attach and feed on any part of the human body, but are most commonly found in areas that are hard to see such as the armpits, groin, and behind the knees.

Below is a picture of what the bulls eye rash looks like.

General info: Symptoms of a tick bite
More Tick Bite Info
Symptoms of a tick bite include fever and chills, aches and pains (headache, fatigue, muscle/joint pain), and rash or lesions occurring at or near the sight of the bite. Some rashes have distinctive patterns associated with different diseases or illnesses. The rash for Lyme Disease will appear in 3 to 30 days, and is circular in shape. The Stari rash is nearly identical to that of the Lyme disease rash, with a red bull’s eye look to it.

Geography:
Tick Geography
The American Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the Black legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), and the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) are found in The East Coast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

The Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) is found in every state of the continental U.S. Ticks are found in many habitats such as where woods and fields meet lawns. They are also found in wooded areas, tall brush/grass. A very small number of ticks are found in recently cut lawns or sports fields, or under ground cover (plants) in your yard. There are also few found in and around stone walls and wood piles where mice & other small mammals live.

Avoiding ticks, tick bites, and Lyme disease
The CDC’s PDF on avoiding ticks
Avoid tick infested areas, especially in the summer months. Most state and local agencies have information on the density and types of ticks in your area.

If you are in tick infested areas, walk in the center of trails and avoid tall grasses and dense brush as this is where most ticks will be found.
Insect repellent of at least 20% deet will help ward off ticks.
Perform daily tick checks.
Understand how to remove ticks.
Shower immediately after returning from the outdoors.
Know the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease.
If you think you may have Lyme disease, consult your personal physician for testing and treatment.

Michigan Department of Health Tick Website