Know Your Ticks-5/15/2026

Crystal Falls and Kingsford, Michigan – May 2026. In Michigan, there are several kinds of ticks that
bite people and pets, and some can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Not all tick bites
will make you sick, but tick-borne diseases, including Lyme Disease, are increasing in Dickinson and
Iron Counties and can be serious if not treated. Tick identification can assist you in determining your
disease risk and assist your physician with diagnosis and treatment.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides tick identification at no
charge to Michigan citizens. There are two ways to have a tick identified, 1) by submitting a photo of
your tick, or, 2) by sending the tick to the MDHHS for microscopic identification. If you want to submit
a photo of your tick, the MDHHS will make all attempts to identify the tick based on the condition of
the tick and the condition of the photos.  However, definitive tick identification may only be made by
sending the tick for microscopic examination. Visit www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases/home/lyme-
disease for additional information on submitting ticks for identification.
The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department, Environmental Health Division, will assist you with
questions on how to access the MDHHS website to submit a photo of your tick. Please contact our
office at 906-779-7239, Monday-Friday 8-4pm; we are available to answer your tick or Lyme Disease-
related questions.