What You Need to Know About Ticks and Lyme Disease

In the state of Michigan, spending time outside in the summer can be extremely enjoyable. There continues to be a lot of recreational options all over the state including access to a variety of different lakes and waterways. One great experience that anyone can have in Michigan is to spend a night in your own backyard with friends. One situation that can affect anyone's experience is if they are bitten by a tick. While tick bites can be painful, the risk of contracting Lyme disease is the largest concern. There is a lot you should be aware of regarding the likelihood of getting Lyme disease from a tick and what you should do if you are bitten.

Likelihood of Tick Passing on Lyme Disease

While tick bites are common, it does not necessarily mean that you will get Lyme disease. Only a couple of types of ticks spread this disease. Those that are in Michigan should be most concerned with deer ticks, which have been known to spread this disease in parts of Michigan. Even if you are bit by a tick here, you can drastically reduce the chance of getting sick by removing it quickly. Ticks often do not start spreading the disease until they have been latched for 36 hours. If you notice and remove it quickly, you could avoid the illness entirely.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

It is important that you always look for the symptoms of Lyme disease following a bite. The most common symptom is a round red rash that will surround the initial bite mark. This can develop quickly and be quite large. Those that have Lyme disease may also notice that they have headaches, sore muscles, and even a fever. More significant symptoms can include tingling and numbness, swelling, and even challenges with your heart or nervous system. Due to this, receiving medical care is always a necessity. Even if your symptoms are minor, they can get worse if you do not receive treatment. A doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics, which should help alleviate the symptoms within a couple of weeks.

If you do have an infestation of ticks, or someone on your property was bitten by one of these insects, it is important that you call Mosquito Squad of West Michigan Lakeshore at 616-426-6776 as soon as you can. When you call the team at Mosquito Squad, you can schedule an appointment for them to come out to your home as soon as possible. They can then offer a variety of naturalmisting services that can help to get rid of any ticks in your yard and keep them from coming back. This way, you can continue to enjoy your Michigan outdoor space all summer without the concern of ticks or Lyme disease.