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LANSING, Mich. — Many are trying to get the most out of the final weeks of summer by hitting up popular parks and lakes in Eaton County.
But some say ticks and fleas are making it hard to enjoy their favorite spots.
"I have had a couple on my legs before," said Belbert Redfield, a Charlotte resident.
Belbert Redfield and Mario Kyriakides take their dog ,Paulie, to Crandell Park everyday.
"Paulie has to swim everyday," said Kyriakides. "He loves it here. He absolutely loves it here."
And the ticks love Paulie.
"Once in awhile, when he gets in the high grass, he might pick up one or two," said Kyriakides.
Kyriakides says this happens even though Paulie is on flea and tick treatment.
"We just pick it off when we get home."
Although these ticks don't keep the three away from the Crandell Park, many have expressed their concerns online and to Fox 47.
Because ticks tend to hang in brush areas, The Eaton County Parks and Rec Department says they created common areas and trails in the park for the public to use to avoid high grass.
The department says they mow and maintain these trails at least once a week to try to control the tick and flea problem.
Even though, these pests are popping up, the department says the the tick population has decreased at Crandell compared to last summer, and it is at a potential risk for Lyme disease.
"There are no current reports of Lyme disease in Eaton County, but you cant rule it out because there are ticks in the area," said Eileen Thompson of the Barry Eaton District Health Department.
The American Dog Tick is active until November, so Thompson suggests wearing longer clothing and using 30% DEET insect repellent while outside in grassy areas.
Along with checking yourself and your pet when you come inside.
"On your pet, you can always brush them backwards through their coat to check for ticks," said Thompson. "The ticks are the size of sesame seed before they start ingesting blood, so it's important to go through yourself and your pet."
If you find a tick and want identified, you can send The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services a picture online.
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