Populations of 5 species of ticks are on the rise in the greater-Washtenaw County region, the American dog tick and Blacklegged tick (responsible for Lyme disease) are the most common.Migratory birds are a common intermediate host for ticks that transmit disease, and climate change may also play a role by changing bird migration patterns, Ticks also benefit from wet winters that keep leaf litter moist. With climate change, Michigan winters have had fewer periods of prolonged cold that could cause a die-back in tick numbers. Weather changes, especially warmer, wetter winters, have allowed ticks to proliferate.
Today, any patch of tall grass should be approached with caution. A decade ago, finding ticks in Southeast Michigan was uncommon. Unfortunately, 2021 is a very bad year for ticks. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Michigan State University entomologist Howard Russell to find out why that is and what we can do to keep ourselves and our pets safe. Ticks have expanded their habitat in Michigan, and there is a major increase in the populations in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. It's a great time of year to get outdoors! But, there are some potentially harmful critters waiting for you.
