(COLDWATER) - 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 CHA 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, which is from October 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, there have been 13 confirmed cases.

Additionally, the CHA says their 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, remember that 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. In addition use an EPA registered insect repellent on your exposed skin.

You can also 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.

You can also prevent mosquitoes and ticks in our home and on your property by emptying water from flowerpots, tires, pet water bowls, pool covers, buckets and clogged rain gutters. Keep your grass mowed and remove leaf litter. You should also check your pets and gear for ticks and inspect your window screens for tears or holes to keep mosquitoes out.