MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – Ticks and mosquitoes have emerged in West Michigan, which means residents must well be equipped to protect their family and pets against the insects -- some of which can cause illnesses like Lyme disease.
Michigan State University Extension entomologist and insect diagnostician Howard Russell has said that despite our wet, cool spring weather, tick season is well under way. The insects are known to appear in animal paths and in grassy, shrubby areas adjacent to woodlots and forests, Russell said.
The common tick species include the lone star tick; the American dog tick, which can carry the Rocky Mountain spotted fever; and the blacklegged tick, the variety known for carrying the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, which typically is not life threatening.
The blacklegged ticks used to be endemic only in Menominee, but since 2002, the species has spread along the West Michigan region and to a lesser extent northward and eastward. Russell said the ticks carrying Lyme disease continue to surface along the shoreline from Berrien County north to Grand Traverse County.
The West Nile Virus, primarily transmitted by the Culex mosquito, mostly likely won't appear until later in the summer.
The species, which can cause major or moderate symptoms in 20 percent of affected humans, tends to breed in hot, dry conditions. But lately, the weather has been mostly wet and moist.
The latest available data from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center show that the Muskegon area is experiencing a usually moist to very moist spell. This time last year, the moisture was near normal and later became drier in June and July.
Dori Peters, spokeswoman for Public Health-Muskegon County, said the region had one confirmed case of West Nile Virus last year in August.
West Nile is considered endemic to the Muskegon area. Its strongest intensity occurs when it first arrives, and once it enters a geographic location, it remains, said Ken Kraus, director of Public Health – Muskegon County.
Here are seven more things residents should know about ticks and mosquitoes:
1. Check mosquitoes' natural habitat
Mosquitoes love stagnant water collecting in tires, bird baths, flower pots, unused swimming pools and other receptacles around the home. Theresa Van Veelen, chairwoman of Muskegon Community College's Life Sciences Department, suggests getting rid of any standing water people might have around their home, when possible.
"Our best method of getting mosquitoes is taking care of the habitat areas that they are at and not necessarily the population," Van Veelen said.
2. Keep the water flowing
Bob Bricault, a Michigan State University Extension educator, said property owners with ponds and other bodies of water near their home should consider buying an aerator to keep the body of water moving and reduce mosquito survivability.
"Anywhere the water is not moving as quickly, mosquitoes gather," Bricault said. "If the water is flowing, their survivability it goes down."
3. Let nature do its work
Bricault said the birds, frogs and other organisms create an ecological balance in nature and can help keep the mosquitoes teeming in stationary waters at bay.
He also said bird and bat houses can also help since the flying creatures like to feast on insects like mosquitoes.
4. Be cautious at night
Bricault suggested that people remain in the sun away from shaded areas and to complete all outdoor work such as gardening before dusk, which marks the period when the mosquito population intensifies.
Ticks, too, are also active at night.
5. Guard your yard
Howard said several new products claim to rid yards of mosquitoes, but they don't catch all species equally and some may actually attract more mosquitoes. Property owners can use widely available insecticides, including products containing permethrin, carbaryl and cyfluthrin, he said.
For ticks, some natural, more eco-friendly insecticide methods include parasitic wasps, birds and a variety of fungi and nematodes. However, Howard claims none of these methods can control ticks to acceptable levels.
Health and science officials strongly advise that consumers read pesticide labels thoroughly for instructions and safety precautions before using the products. Van Veelen cautions against using such chemicals frequently because of biological evolution. She said the use of pesticides have long-term adverse effects, like causing pesticide resistant mosquitoes.
6. Use insect repellent
ticks and mosquitoes, insect
repellent containing DEET can be used on exposed skin while outdoors. The
chemical, also known as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, has drawn some criticism
regarding its safety, but continues to be the most commonly used substance to
guard against pests.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the products are safe when used properly.
There are other products on the market that don't contain DEET that have also been proven effective, such as products containing Picaridin, soy oil and lemon eucalyptus, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Health officials advise against using DEET products on infants and small children under 24 months while also recommending the use of netting on infant strollers.
Adults should apply repellent on children and avoid their hands as kids tend to put their fingers in their mouths. Treated clothing should be washed before being worn again.
7. Trick the ticks and be savvy
campers and gardeners should wear light-colored clothing and avoid areas
with high grass, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They should also try to walk
in the center of trails.
People can also apply duct tape around their pant cuffs to keep ticks from crawling up their legs and attaching. Once done outdoors, people should check their clothing along with children for ticks.
If a tick becomes attached, remove it immediately as it could take 24 to 48 hours for the Lyme disease bacteria to be transmitted to a person. Attached ticks can be removed using tweezers, but people should be mindful not to squeeze the tick, otherwise it could release more toxins into the body.
Russell said if residents don't know the identity of a discovered tick, they can save it in a vial of rubbing alcohol and send it to MSU Diagnostic Services for identification. They can also send it the Public Health-Muskegon County, which will send it to Michigan Department of Community Health's laboratory.
Pet owners should consult their veterinarian about products, tick collars or medications that can be used to protect pets.