Michigan Tick Season: CDC Issues Warning Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend

That sudden feeling of something crawling on your leg after a hike in Michigan is enough to make even the toughest outdoorsperson slap and kick their leg like they're auditioning for a John Wick sequel.

RELATED: Michigan Tick Season: Where Lyme Disease Risk Is Highest

And in 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says your paranoia is more than justified.

CDC Issues Tick Bite Warning For 2026

The CDC reports emergency room visits for tick bites are running higher than usual across nearly every region of the United States, including Michigan. In fact, weekly ER visits are the highest for this time of year since 2017. So yes, the tiny woodland vampires are apparently having a banner year in 2026.

Michigan is prime tick real estate, with blacklegged ticks capable of spreading Lyme disease in much of the state. They lurk in tall grass, wooded areas, and somehow, the exact patch of weeds your dog insists on rolling in.

How to Avoid Becoming a Tick Buffet

The CDC recommends using EPA-approved repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and checking yourself, your kids, and your pets after being outdoors. Nothing says "family bonding" quite like a full-body tick inspection.

RELATED: Invasive Tick With Deadly Potential Confirmed in Michigan

Ticks may be tiny, but they can carry diseases with big symptoms, like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and other illnesses that can turn a fun weekend in the woods into a very expensive souvenir in the form of recurring medical bills. So enjoy Michigan's trails, campgrounds, and backyards. Just remember, while you're admiring nature, nature may be quietly hitching a ride up your pant leg.