Tick Trouble: Lyme Disease Cases Skyrocket in Michigan

It’s been a nasty few years when it comes to ticks. They’re everywhere. I don’t really remember them being a big deal or hearing about them much when I was a kid. Now that’s all you hear about, and for good reason. Lyme disease cases in Michigan have exploded, jumping 168 percent.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lyme disease cases have shot up by a whopping 168 percent in the last five years. In 2020, there were 452 cases statewide. By 2024, that number jumped to 1,215. Wayne County alone has seen a 65 percent spike compared to five years ago.

I know several people this year who have found ticks on their skin, in their beards, on their pets, and have even unknowingly brought them into their homes. It’s getting harder and harder to avoid them.

What You Should Know About Ticks

I don’t think we need to break down what ticks are, but just in case, they’re tiny and tough to spot. They like to hang out in wooded areas, tall grass, and leaf piles. Basically, the same spots where a lot of us like to hike or camp.

The best way to protect yourself from ticks is pretty straightforward. Use bug spray with EPA-approved repellents, throw on long sleeves and pants if you’re heading deep into the woods, and make sure to check yourself, the kids, and pets as soon as you get back inside. Hopping in the shower right away helps, too.

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Be sure to double-check even after you shower; that's how I found one trying to bury itself into the back of my leg.

Ticks usually have to be attached for at least 24 hours to pass along Lyme. If you notice flu-like symptoms or that classic bull’s-eye rash after a bite, don’t wait. Get checked out right away.