Tick season is upon us—here’s what you need to know.

The warm weather means it’s time to kick back in your yard, head out for a hike, and lay down your picnic blanket. But be wary of critters lurking in the grass.

Ticks are active from the time that snow melts, says Taz Stuart, an entomologist in Winnipeg, Man. They’re as small a poppy seed in their youth, growing to about the size of a pinky-nail by June. 

And while they used to almost exclusively be active from spring to late fall, the warming climate means we’re seeing them throughout the year. Plus, their habitats are expanding. “The reality is that when you go out into your backyard, near tree lines, or in even short grass, ticks are going to be there,” says Stuart. 

No longer confined to thick and humid brushes, ticks are now commonly found in urban and rural areas alike. 

We sat down with Stuart to get the lowdown on why we should be aware of ticks when we head outdoors and his expert tips for keeping safe. 

Why should we be vigilant about ticks?

Black-legged ticks can carry a variety of illnesses that can be transmitted to humans and animals if bit. The most commonly known is Lyme disease, characterized by a signature red bullseye around the bite. “About 25 to 30 percent of people don’t even show the classic signs of Lyme disease,” says stuart.

Nearly 5,000 cases of Lyme disease in humans were identified across Canada in 2023, with preliminary data indicating an increase in cases last year.

Other tick-borne illnesses—all diseases of public health significance in Ontario—include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and Powassan virus. 

Tips to protect yourself from ticks

“The fun part is that if you walk in the middle of the sidewalk, you’ll be fine,” says Stuart. But since most people can’t stick to a concrete-exclusive lifestyle, there are a few other things you can do to protect yourself. 

Clothing 

Photo by rck/Adobe Stock

First, consider your surroundings. If you’re headed into a thick brush or forested area, your chances of coming across a tick increase. In this case, Stuart suggests breaking out your anti-tick wardrobe. “I call it the ‘geek look,’” he says. 

Long pants tucked into socks and long-sleeves are the name of the game in tick country. Light-coloured clothing is even better, since it will keep you cooler in the summer and makes it easier to identify black specks. 

Bug spray

Certain bug sprays, such as OFF Deep Woods Insect Repellent, help deter ticks. 

Tick check 

It’s vital to do a tick check after being outdoors. Ticks gravitate towards dark and humid parts of the body—your hairline, behind the knees and elbows, underarms, and back of your hips are hot spots—so it’s important to look in all the nooks and crannies. If you don’t have a good view, get a loved one to help you out. 

How to properly remove a tick

If you identify a tick on yourself or someone else, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible. 

“Using forceps or tweezers, firmly pull the tick straight up from skin level at a 90 degree angle,” says Stuart. If you’re spending time in a place where you anticipate encountering ticks, you might consider carrying a tick remover on your keys for easy removal.

Stuart cautions against using petroleum or matches to get rid of ticks. If you don’t firmly remove the tick, parts can break off in your skin and the risk of disease transmission can increase. 

“If a tick has been attached to you for more than 24 hours, it’s important to not throw it away,” says Stuart. Put it in a container or bag and bring it to your doctor to test for tick-borne illnesses.

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