Protecting against ticks

tick on a leaf

As tick season arrives, please take note of a few important tips and tricks to prevent ticks on both you and your pets.

A tick is very small and can range in size from a poppy seed to a small grape (when engorged). They do not jump or fly. Ticks are normally found in forested areas or areas with long grass, where they attach themselves to humans and animals passing by.

On humans, ticks normally attach to areas such as the groin, armpits, hairline or behind the ears.

Protect You and Your Pets

  • Wear light coloured clothes to spot ticks
  • Use insect repellents that contains DEET or Icaridin (always follow the instructions)
  • Daily full body checks on yourself and pets after coming in from the outdoors
  • Cut your grass and dispose of leaf litter
  • Outdoor workers should shower or bath within two hours of being in forested or long grass areas

Blacklegged / Deer Tick

 
  • Can carry and transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease
  • Usually found in forested areas
  • Very small and can be hard to see
  • Active in early spring and late fall
  • Blacklegged ticks have no white markings on the large part of their bodies

 

 

Female       Male

American Dog Tick

  • The most common tick found in the Niagara region
  • Does not carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease
  • Usually found in areas with long grass and tree cover
  • About the size of an apple seed and reddish brown in colour
  • Active in the spring and summer
  • Dog ticks usually have white markings or silver-coloured spots                            

 

dog tick female

dog tick male

 

Female          Male

Lone Star Tick

  • Does not carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease
  • Usually found in areas with long grass and tree cover
  • Rarely seen in the Niagara region, but can be transported on migrating birds
  • About the size of an apple seed and reddish brown in colour
  • Active in the spring and summer
  • Female Lone Star ticks have a silvery-white spot or "lone star" on their back while adult
    male have whitete spots around their back

 

lonestar female

lonestar male

 

Female                 Male

 Removing a tick

  1. With fine tip tweezers, grasp the tick's head as close to the skin as possible
  2. Slowly pull the tick away from the skin until it releases. Do not twist or crush the tick. Ensure all the mouth parts have been removed, otherwise the bite can become infected.
  3. After removing the tick, wash the area with soap and water

Submit a Tick for Identification

If you think the tick is blacklegged or you cannot identify the tick, it can be submitted in clear, dry containers or double Ziploc bags to one of the following locations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for identification:

City

Address

Phone Number

Thorold / St. Catharines

1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way

905-688-8248

Fort Erie

1264 Garrison Rd., Unit 12

905-871-6513

Niagara Falls

5710 Kitchener St.

905-356-1538

Welland

200 Division St.

905-735-5697

Lincoln

4800 South Service Rd.

905-563-8205


If a blacklegged tick is identified, staff will consult with you on next steps. There is no cost for tick identification. 

In Niagara, blacklegged ticks have often been found in the Wainfleet bog, Mud Lake in Port Colborne and 12 Mile Creek Trail in St. Catharines. However, it is possible to find blacklegged ticks outside of these areas too. Remember to protect yourself no matter what area you are in.

*Information from Niagara Public Health. Visit their website for more information and contacts.