Blacklegged ticks can cause Lyme disease, an infectious disease with debilitating consequences, which is spread by tick bites.
In 2017, there were 2,025 cases of Lyme disease reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada; an increase from 144 in 2009.
As we share our habitat with blacklegged ticks, there are a few things it will be good to know.
If you are bushwhacking in places where there are deer, then your chances of seeing them increase.
While the critters themselves aren’t dangerous, their bite are.
If you wear a DEET-based bug repellant, as well as long sleeves and pants you’ll have a good chance of warding them off.
Ticks will hitchhike rides in your car, canoe, and camping gear and lurk in the folds of your clothing- so give them the brush off as soon as you can.
Ticks will even survive a cold water washing.
Strip down when you get home, check your clothing and run your hands over your skin to locate any ticks that may have become embedded.
While ticks are usually found in the wild- they can call any place in the great outdoors home and even ride along with your domestic pets.
There are several kits available to help you remove ticks, and they can be very effective- but when in doubt, visit your doctor.
The sooner you remove an embedded tick, the less risk you have of contracting a disease.
photo credit: NCC
