Ticks are becoming more common in Michigan and that includes the type that carry Lyme Disease.
It may say mosquito squad on the trucks but the “Mosquito Squad” in Laingsburg also takes care of ticks as well.
It’s those types of calls they're seeing a lot more of lately.
“Two years ago we probably got a call maybe one out of say 30,” said Michael Hoover, owner of Mosquito Squad. “Last year it did see an increase a little bit, maybe it was one out of say 20 but this year it’s more like one out of five.”
What's most concerning as summer months approach, the growing population of "black legged ticks" in the State of Michigan. It’s those ticks that spread Lyme disease.
“It’s something now that more and more people are learning about and should be come well aware of it,” said Hoover.
To avoid this creepy crawler causing harm, keep your lawn clear of debris or leaves. Keep your lawn cut during the summer. Ticks will wait at the top for something to latch on to. Usually that’s you or your pets.
Spraying is always possibility but the squad now uses a fancy piece of technology called the tick tube.
“It allows for field mice most of the time to pull treated cotton from inside of the tick tube and they'll make their nest out of it,” said Hoover. “That’s where a lot of ticks are found.”
Pests are exactly that, they're pests but keeping a good eye out this summer is the biggest way for the least amount of impact in your life.
“Some bugs are meaningless to us and can be a little bit of a nuisance,” said Hoover. “Ticks on the other hand can truly provide and present a threat to all of us, our kids, out pets, and to us as well.”
The Ingham County Health Department is installing signs along the trails in county parks to warn people to be on the lookout for ticks.
For more advice on keeping ticks away from you and what to do if one latches on, click here for information from the Center of Disease Control.
