Parshall Pest Control Experts is alerting Grand Traverse County homeowners, outdoor recreationists, and property managers that Michigan's 2026 tick season has begun ahead of schedule, despite one of the state's most extreme winters on record. The announcement comes in direct response to expert warnings and confirmed early tick activity in multiple Michigan regions, and follows a documented 168% increase in Lyme disease cases statewide over the past five years — from 452 confirmed cases in 2020 to 1,215 in 2024, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Jean Tsao, associate professor of fisheries and wildlife at Michigan State University, confirmed in a January 2026 interview with Michigan Public Radio that blacklegged ticks — the primary carriers of Lyme disease — can become active at temperatures as low as 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. "Certainly by mid-March," Tsao stated, activity can be expected across the state. Outdoor and wildlife observers in Southwest Michigan have already reported tick sightings in early March 2026, suggesting the timeline for the entire state may be accelerating.
"Traverse City residents who spend time near wooded areas, trails, or even their own backyards are at real risk right now," said a spokesperson for Parshall Pest Control Experts. "The data from the state is clear — tick-borne illness is rising sharply in Michigan, and the window to implement perimeter protection before peak activity is narrow." Read more at https://markets.financialcontent.com/dailybulletin/article/pressadvantage-2025-12-12-parshall-pest-control-launches-termite-prevention-awareness-campaign-and-expert-advisory-program.
Lyme disease, transmitted primarily through the bite of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), is now the most common tick-borne illness in Michigan. Anaplasmosis — a separate tick-borne bacterial infection — has seen an even more dramatic increase, rising nearly fivefold from 17 confirmed cases in 2020 to 82 in 2024, according to MDHHS.
A peer-reviewed study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) confirms that professional perimeter treatments targeting tick habitats — including yard edges, leaf litter, and wooded borders — represent one of the most effective evidence-based strategies for reducing human exposure to tick-borne pathogens. The same research identifies landscape modifications such as regular grass trimming, brush removal, and the elimination of leaf litter as important supplementary measures homeowners can implement independently.
The MDHHS further recommends that residents check themselves and pets for ticks daily, wear light-colored clothing outdoors, shower after returning indoors, and place clothing in a dryer on high heat for a minimum of ten minutes following outdoor activity. Tick management performed by licensed pest control professionals has also been supported by CDC-reviewed research confirming that targeted acaricide applications to residential yards reduce tick populations and lower the risk of tick-borne disease transmission.
Parshall Pest Control Experts provides inspections and targeted treatments designed to reduce tick populations in residential and commercial properties throughout Grand Traverse County. The company's approach emphasizes early-season perimeter protection — a strategy supported by public health officials and independent research — during the critical window before tick populations peak in late spring and summer.
Customer testimonials reflect the company's commitment to effective, safe pest elimination. One Traverse City resident described a recent experience:
"I had a hornet/wasp problem at my home and called Parshall Pest Control. They were quick to respond, very professional, and explained everything clearly. The technician made sure the nests were completely removed and treated the area so the pests wouldn't return. It was such a relief knowing it was handled safely. I really appreciate the friendly service and peace of mind they provided — highly recommend them for anyone dealing with hornets or wasps!"
— Ariana Faught Google review
Beyond Lyme disease, Michigan residents face an emerging threat from the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum), which has been expanding its range in Michigan. The Lone Star tick has been documented in Southwest Michigan and has been associated with alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can trigger an allergic reaction to red meat following a tick bite. The MDHHS currently recognizes more than 20 known tick species in Michigan, with five species most likely to bite humans: the American dog tick, blacklegged tick, Lone Star tick, woodchuck tick, and brown dog tick.
Parshall Pest Control Experts is a licensed pest management company serving Traverse City and the surrounding areas of Grand Traverse County, Michigan. The company provides residential and commercial pest control services, including tick and stinging insect management, rodent exclusion, and perimeter protection programs. Property owners and managers seeking tick inspections or spring perimeter treatments are encouraged to contact Parshall Pest Control Experts directly. Learn more at https://parshallpestcontrol.com/exterminator-traverse-city.
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For more information about Parshall Pest Control Experts, contact the company here:
Parshall Pest Control Experts
Corey Parshall
877-250-2060
info@parshallpestcontrol.com
Parshall Pest Control Experts
12935 S W Bay Shore Dr #280
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 409-1295
Email: info@parshallpestcontrol.com
