Ticks are more than a nuisance; they carry serious diseases like Lyme disease. With over 5,239 cases reported in Canada in 2024 and blacklegged ticks spreading due to climate change, prevention is critical.
Ticks thrive in cool, damp environments like low shrubberies, grassy areas, and leaf litter. They detect CO2, body heat, and vibrations, latching onto passing hosts.
To prevent bites, wear light-colored clothing covering as much skin as possible, tuck pants into socks, and use bug sprays with icaridin (picaridin). Permethrin-treated clothing also repels ticks. After outdoor activity, dry clothes on high heat for 15-20 minutes to kill any ticks, and perform a thorough full-body check.
If bitten, stay calm. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out without squeezing. Place the tick in a sealed bag. Consult a physician or have the tick tested for pathogens.