The presence of warmer weather is also bringing out the ticks.
Northwestern Ontario is home to two species: wood and blacklegged or deer ticks.
Deer ticks are well established in our region and are expanding because of warmer temperatures, migratory birds’ movement and changes in the landscape.
They can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus to humans.
“Preventing blacklegged tick bites is an important step in reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases,” states Stephanie Charles, Health Promoter, in a release.
“A quick tick check can make a real difference.”
The health unit recommends wearing light-coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
When going outside, especially in tall grass and wooded areas, wear closed-toed shoes, long sleeves, and long pants tucked into the socks and use an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin.
Be sure to check yourself, your children, and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors and shower as soon as possible after outdoor activities to wash off unattached ticks.
If you find a tick, use a pair of fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out gently, but firmly.
Do not twist, jerk, or squeeze the tick.
Wash the bite area with soap and water, and disinfect the skin and your hands with rubbing alcohol or an iodine swab.
The health unit does not recommend using petroleum jelly, nail polish, liquid soap, kerosene, or a lit match to remove a tick.
Symptoms of tick-borne diseases may include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, or a rash.
If symptoms develop or you have health concerns following a tick bite, contact a health care provider as soon as possible.
A pharmacist can also recommend a preventive treatment for Lyme disease.
The health unit no longer accepts ticks from the public for testing.
Residents can submit a photo of a tick to eTick.ca for species identification.
