A new scientific study has uncovered a surprising vulnerability in Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Researchers found that this pathogen depends on the mineral manganese to protect itself from the body’s immune system. But that same mineral can also work against it. When the bacterium has too little—or too much—manganese, its defenses fail, making it easier to eliminate.
This discovery could help guide future treatments that target how B. burgdorferi manages manganese, offering a promising direction for better Lyme disease therapies. As cases continue to rise and current treatment options remain challenging, understanding this weak spot is an encouraging step forward.
Ticks are active in Michigan, even during the cold months
While many pests fade away as temperatures drop, ticks remain active throughout fall, winter, and spring. They continue to pose a threat because they carry dangerous diseases and live on a wide range of hosts, including dogs, cats, deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and mice. Ticks cannot fly, jump, or fall from above; instead, they wait on vegetation and use their senses to latch onto mammals as they pass. Along Michigan’s lakeshores, veterinarians report consistent tick exposure in pets all year long.
Michigan’s most common ticks include:
- American dog ticks – widespread across the state
- Blacklegged (deer) ticks – capable of carrying Lyme disease
- Lone Star ticks – increasingly detected and associated with additional disease risks
Deer ticks pose the greatest threat because they can transmit Lyme disease to both humans and pets. In dogs, symptoms may include fever, fatigue, shifting lameness, or—in rare cases—serious kidney complications. Most veterinary clinics offer testing and treatment options, but prevention remains the best defense.
There’s no single treatment for illnesses spread by lone star ticks. Bacterial infections require antibiotics, while viral infections have no specific cure.
How to minimize tick exposure
Consider scheduling routine inspections with a licensed pest control professional, who can identify tick hotspots on your property and apply targeted treatments to reduce tick activity. To keep mosquito and tick populations manageable during warmer months, begin treatments early in summer and reapply as needed.
- Avoid brushing against tall grass or vegetation, especially in wooded areas.
- Wear light-colored clothing and tuck pants into socks to help spot ticks before they attach.
- Perform thorough tick checks on pets and people after they have been outdoors.
- Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention products year-round and ask about vaccination for dogs.
- Keep your home free of rodents, as they often carry ticks.
- Consider keeping animals such as guinea fowl, which eat ticks.
For tick removal, use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick close to the skin, and gently pull upward until it releases.
While not all properties qualify for the same treatment approach, Northern Pest can help determine the best plan to protect your home, pets, and family. Contact us today to learn more about effective tick management solutions.
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Northern Pest: Protecting Michigan families like our own. We are licensed and insured to provide insect and wildlife pest control. Our crew has the expertise to track wildlife entry points and remove pests of all kinds, including our licensed builders, who can make any of the necessary repairs caused by wildlife. Northern Pest is a member of the MDAT and the NWCOA. We are certified by the IICRC to provide professional mold mitigation services resulting from animal damage. From prevention to repair, Northern Pest is your full-service solution.
Written by the Digital Marketing Team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/.