If you found a reddish tick in Michigan, you’re likely looking at one of several species. The most common culprits are the blacklegged tick (deer tick), which has a distinctly red or orange-red abdomen, and the American dog tick, which is pale to reddish-brown with white markings. Michigan is home to over 20 known tick species, and several of them appear red or reddish-brown to the naked eye.
Which Red Ticks Live in Michigan
At least five tick species found in Michigan have reddish coloring, but they differ in markings, size, and the diseases they carry.
The blacklegged tick (deer tick) is the one most people mean when they say “red tick.” Unfed females have an orange-red body surrounding a dark black plate (called a scutum) on their upper back, with black legs. This sharp contrast between the red body and black shield makes them easy to spot once you know what to look for. They’re the only tick in Michigan that transmits the bacteria causing Lyme disease.
The American dog tick is pale brown to reddish-brown and larger than the blacklegged tick. It has distinctive white or cream-colored patterns on its back, along with light-colored markings along its rear edge. This is one of the most commonly encountered ticks in Michigan, especially in grassy areas and along trails.
The lone star tick is reddish-brown. Females are easy to identify by a single white dot in the center of their back. Males have small white markings along the edges instead. This species has been expanding its range northward into Michigan in recent years.
The brown dog tick is uniformly reddish-brown with no white markings at all, making it look like a solid reddish oval. It’s unusual among ticks because it can complete its entire life cycle indoors, so you may find it in your home if you have dogs.
The Asian longhorned tick, a more recent arrival, is also reddish-brown with no contrasting markings. It’s worth noting because this species can reproduce without mating, meaning populations can explode quickly in an area.
How to Tell Them Apart
Color alone won’t give you a definitive answer, but a few quick visual checks narrow things down. Look at the tick’s back: if you see a bright red body with a contrasting black plate and black legs, that’s a blacklegged tick. If the tick is reddish-brown with obvious white patterning, it’s likely an American dog tick. A single white dot on an otherwise reddish-brown body points to a female lone star tick. A solid reddish-brown tick with no markings at all could be a brown dog tick or an Asian longhorned tick.
Size helps too. Blacklegged ticks are smaller, roughly the size of a sesame seed as adults. American dog ticks are noticeably larger. If the tick has already been feeding, though, it will be engorged and harder to identify by size. Taking a clear photo before removing or disposing of the tick is a smart move, since it can help a healthcare provider assess your risk if symptoms develop later.
Why Identification Matters for Disease Risk
Different tick species carry different pathogens, so knowing which one bit you changes the risk picture significantly. The blacklegged tick is the primary concern in Michigan. It transmits Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Both the poppy seed-sized nymph stage and the larger adult female are capable of spreading these infections.
Lyme disease cases in Michigan have surged, increasing 168% over five years. The state recorded 1,215 cases in 2024, up from 452 in 2020. That steep climb reflects both expanding tick populations and growing awareness, but the takeaway is clear: Lyme risk in Michigan is real and growing.
American dog ticks can transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia, though both are less common in Michigan than Lyme disease. Lone star ticks are associated with a condition called alpha-gal syndrome, which causes an allergic reaction to red meat. Brown dog ticks can carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever as well, though transmission to humans is relatively rare.
How to Remove a Tick Safely
If the tick is attached to your skin, proper removal reduces your risk of infection. Start by gently washing the area around the tick with soap and water. The tick created an opening when it burrowed in, and cleaning first lowers the chance of a secondary bacterial infection from your own skin.
Use clean tweezers (blunt-tipped if you have them) and grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. This is important: grabbing higher up on the tick’s body risks squeezing its contents into your bloodstream. Pull straight up at a 90-degree angle with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist, jerk sideways, or scrape. If part of the tick’s mouthparts break off, try to remove them with the tweezers. If they don’t come out easily, leave them. Your body will push out the remnants over time.
After removal, wash the bite area again with warm soapy water and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment or cover with a bandage. You can dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in a plastic bag and tossing it. Take a photo first. Never crush a live tick with your bare fingers, and skip the folk remedies: burning with a match, coating in petroleum jelly, nail polish, or rubbing alcohol don’t work and can actually increase your risk by irritating the tick into releasing more saliva.
What to Watch for After a Bite
The two weeks following a tick bite are the key monitoring window. Check the bite site daily and watch for an expanding red rash, particularly one that develops a bullseye or target shape. That pattern is a hallmark of Lyme disease and warrants prompt medical attention. Not everyone with Lyme develops the classic bullseye, though, so also watch for fever, chills, body aches, joint pain, headache, or unusual fatigue. Any combination of these symptoms in the days or weeks after a tick bite is worth reporting to your doctor, especially if you identified the tick as a blacklegged tick or weren’t sure of the species.