Various species of ticks can be found in most parts of Ontario, clustering along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River. It is possible, however, to find ticks anywhere in Ontario where they may have been transported by migratory birds. Although they are primarily active in spring and summer, ticks can be found any time of year when the temperature is above freezing. 

There are several different tick species in Ontario, but Ixodes scapularis, the blacklegged tick (also known as the deer tick), is of particular concern from a public health perspective. Blacklegged ticks can carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi which, if transmitted to humans via a tick bite, may cause Lyme disease. 

Blacklegged ticks that may carry Lyme disease live in wooded areas, tall grasses, and bushes. Protect yourself: 

• Wear light-colored clothing. It makes ticks easier to spot. 
• Wear closed footwear and socks and a long sleeve shirt tucked into long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks. 
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin on clothes and exposed skin. Always be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to use it. 
• Check for ticks on your body, paying special attention to the groin area, belly button, armpits, head and behind ears and knees. Use a mirror to check the back of your body or have someone else check for you. Don’t forget to check for ticks on your children and your pets. 
• Take a shower as soon as you can after being outdoors to wash off any ticks that may be on you. 
• Kill any ticks that might be on your clothing by putting your clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing them. 

HKPR District Health Unit no longer accepts black-legged ticks for testing, but you can still identify ticks by using the free eTick website. To use the site: 

• Submit a photo of the tick you encounter. 
• You’ll be notified within 48 hours if the tick is the type that may spread Lyme disease. 
• You can then determine what additional care you need, including whether to see a health care provider. 

The Ontario Lyme Disease Map: Estimated Risk Areas is updated annually. It provides information to assist public health professionals and clinicians in their management of Lyme disease

NEED further assistance please contact the HKPR District Health Unit’s Environmental Health Department at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5006. 

If you catch a tick attached to you do not panic! Not every tick carries a disease. Do not rip the tick off or burn it or smother it with Vaseline, as these actions will not help. Instead, use clean fine tipped-tweezers as available, or a tick pick and firmly grasp the tick as close to the skin as you can get. Gently, pull away from the skin. The goal is to get the entirety of the tick out in one attempt. If this does not happen, attempt to get the remaining tick-bits out of the skin with tweezers.  

If you have pets: 

• Check your pets’ skin after being outdoors and remove any ticks you find. 
• Remove a tick from your pet using the same steps that you would follow to remove a tick from yourself. 
• Ask your veterinarian about options to help keep ticks off your pets.