Time to Fight the Bite to Prevent Tick and Mosquito Borne Illness

Tuesday June 10, 2025

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency urges residents to take precautions against mosquito and tick bites this summer while continuing to enjoy the outdoors.

The agency has observed a steady increase in Lyme disease cases over the past several years. From October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, there were six reported cases. That number jumped to 30 cases between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. So far this reporting year—from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025—there have been 13 confirmed cases.

In addition, the agency’s Vector Surveillance Program recently identified the Culex mosquito species in Hillsdale County. Culex mosquitoes are known carriers of West Nile Virus and St. Louis Encephalitis.

Before You Go Outdoors

•  Know where and when to expect mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, and require standing water to breed. Ticks are commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas - or on animals.
•  Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin.  Find a repellent product that is right for you. Be sure to follow label instructions for application and use.
• Avoid contact with mosquitoes and ticks by wearing appropriate clothing; long sleeves, long pants, shoes, and socks. You can purchase or treat clothes with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

Prevent Mosquitoes and Ticks in your home and on your property

• Eliminate standing water. Empty water from flowerpots, tires, pet water bowls, pool covers, buckets and clogged rain gutters.
• Maintain your yard. Keep grass mowed, remove leaf litter. Use caution in areas with wooded or overgrown areas.
• Check pets and gear. Ticks can hitchhike indoors on clothing, backpacks and animals.
• Inspect window screens for tears or holes to keep mosquitoes out.
• Talk to your Veterinarian about tick and mosquito prevention for dogs, cats, livestock, and horses.

Be Aware

• Check clothing for ticks. After being outdoors, tumble dry clothes on high heat for 10 minutes. If washing is needed first, use hot water; cold or medium temperatures won’t kill ticks.
• Shower soon after outdoor activity. Showering within two hours may reduce the risk of tick-borne illness and provides a chance to check for ticks.
• Conduct a full body check. Use a mirror to examine all parts of your body and your child’s body, especially:
  • Under the arms
  • In and around the ears
  • Inside belly button
  • Back of the knees
  • In and around the hair
  • Between the legs
  • Around the waist

Treating Bites

• Wash the bite area with soap and water or an alcohol-based product.
• Watch for signs of serious illness, including:
  • Redness or swelling at the bite site
  • High Fever
  • Severe Headache
  • Body aches
  • Red Rash (possibly bull’s eye shaped)
  • Restlessness

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment.