Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of spring, summer and fall in Ontario. But it also means sharing the outdoors with ticks.
Ticks can be found in forests, tall grasses, brush, gardens, parks and other areas where people and animals spend time. While not every tick carries disease, blacklegged ticks can transmit Lyme disease, a potentially serious infection that is becoming an increasingly important health concern in Ontario.
The good news? A few simple precautions can significantly reduce your risk. Knowing how to spot a tick, remove one properly and recognize the signs of Lyme disease can help keep you and your family safer outdoors.
Lyme Disease in Ontario: The Numbers
Lyme disease cases have increased substantially in Ontario over the past decade.
In 2024, Ontario reported approximately 2,369 cases of Lyme disease, accounting for a large proportion of Canada's 5,809 reported cases that year. National surveillance data show that the 2024 Canadian total was almost twice the five-year average from 2019–2023.
Ontario's rate has also increased over time. Public Health Ontario data show that the provincial incidence rate rose from approximately 4.5 cases per 100,000 people in 2018 to 13.4 per 100,000 in 2024.
Locally, the risk is also becoming more relevant. In the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area, 42 Lyme disease cases were reported among residents in 2025, up from 32 in 2024. Public health surveillance estimated that approximately 46% of the 2025 cases were suspected to have been acquired within the WDG region.
These numbers are a reminder that tick prevention isn't just something to think about when you're travelling to a remote wilderness area. Ticks can be encountered close to home.
What Is a Tick?
Ticks are tiny, blood-feeding parasites that attach themselves to humans and animals.
Ontario has several different species of ticks, but the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), also called the deer tick, is particularly important when it comes to Lyme disease. Infected blacklegged ticks can carry the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease.
A few tick facts you should know:
- Ticks are tiny: Nymphal blacklegged ticks can be about the size of a poppy seed, making them particularly difficult to spot.
- A tick bite may not hurt: Tick bites are often painless, so you may not realize you've been bitten.
- Ticks don't jump or fly: They typically wait on vegetation and attach when a person or animal brushes past.
- Ticks can be active whenever temperatures are above freezing: Although spring and summer are peak periods for outdoor exposure, ticks can be encountered outside of the traditional "tick season."
- Ticks can be transported by wildlife and birds: This means an infected tick can potentially be encountered outside established risk areas.
- Not every tick carries Lyme disease: The risk depends on the tick species, location and whether the tick is infected.
Where Are Ticks Found?
Ticks are commonly found in areas with:
- Tall grass
- Bushes and shrubs
- Leaf litter
- Forested or wooded areas
- Trails and hiking paths
- Gardens and landscaped areas
- Parks and recreational areas
You don't necessarily need to be deep in the woods to encounter a tick. Blacklegged ticks have established populations in several areas of Ontario, and Public Health Ontario maintains maps showing areas where they are known to occur. However, because ticks can be transported by migratory birds and wildlife, an infected tick can potentially be encountered almost anywhere in Ontario.
How to Prevent Tick Bites
The best way to prevent Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites in the first place.
1. Use insect repellent
Use an insect repellent containing DEET or icaridin on exposed skin and clothing. Always read and follow the product label for proper application.
2. Dress for tick protection
When walking or working in areas where ticks may be present:
- Wear long pants.
- Wear long sleeves when practical.
- Tuck your pants into your socks.
- Wear closed-toe shoes or boots.
- Consider light-coloured clothing, which makes ticks easier to see.
3. Stay on cleared trails
When hiking, stick to maintained trails and avoid walking through tall grass, dense brush and areas of heavy vegetation whenever possible.
4. Do a tick check
After spending time outdoors, check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks.
Pay particular attention to areas where ticks can easily hide, including:
- Behind the knees
- Around the waist
- In and around the ears
- Around the hairline and scalp
- Under the arms
- Around the groin
- Between the legs
- Around the ankles
Remember to check clothing and outdoor gear as well.
5. Shower after being outdoors
Health Canada recommends showering or bathing within two hours of being outdoors. A shower can help remove unattached ticks before they have a chance to bite.
6. Check your pets
Dogs and other pets can pick up ticks outdoors and potentially bring them into your home. Check your pets regularly and speak with your veterinarian about appropriate tick prevention.
What Should You Do If You Find a Tick?
Don't panic! And don't try to burn, smother or crush the tick.
Remove it as soon as possible.
Most infected ticks need to be attached for at least 24 hours to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, although the risk varies and prompt removal is still important.
How to Remove a Tick
- Use clean, fine-point tweezers
- Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, ideally near its head or mouthparts
- Pull slowly and steadily straight out
- Avoid twisting, jerking or squeezing the tick
- Once the tick is removed, wash the bite area and your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
- If possible, take a photo of the tick or keep it in a sealed container in case you need to show it to a health-care provider
If the tick's mouthparts remain in the skin and you cannot easily remove them, leave them alone and allow the skin to heal rather than digging into the skin.
What NOT to Do
Don't try to remove a tick with:
- A lit match
- A cigarette
- Nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Petroleum jelly
- Essential oils
- Other substances intended to suffocate or burn the tick
These methods can irritate the tick and may increase the risk of exposure to potentially infectious material.
Should You Keep the Tick?
If possible, take a clear photo of the tick for identification. Ontario residents can also use eTick to submit a photo for tick identification.
If you are planning to see a health-care provider, you can place the tick in a sealed container or bag and record:
- The date you were bitten
- Where on your body the tick was attached
- Where you were when you may have been exposed
It's important to understand that testing a tick is not the same as testing a person. Tick testing is used for surveillance and does not determine whether a person has Lyme disease. A health-care provider will consider your symptoms, exposure history and other factors when determining whether you need testing or treatment.
What Are the Signs of Lyme Disease?
Symptoms can vary from person to person.
Early symptoms may develop within days or weeks after a bite and can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- An expanding red rash
One of the best-known signs of Lyme disease is an expanding circular rash, sometimes described as a "bull's-eye" rash. However, not everyone develops this characteristic rash, so its absence does not necessarily mean you don't have Lyme disease.
Later symptoms can include:
If Lyme disease is not recognized and treated, more serious symptoms can develop, including:
- Additional rashes
- Severe headaches
- Migrating joint, muscle or nerve pain
- Arthritis, particularly involving large joints
- Numbness or tingling
- Nerve weakness
- Facial paralysis or Bell's palsy
- Heart palpitations or abnormal heart rhythm
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Other nervous-system complications
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
What Should You Do If You Develop Symptoms?
If you've recently been in an area where ticks may be present and you develop symptoms that could be associated with Lyme disease, contact a health-care provider as soon as possible.
Tell them:
- That you may have been exposed to a tick
- Where you were when the exposure occurred
- When the exposure occurred
- Where on your body the tick was attached, if known
- How long you believe the tick was attached
- Whether you removed and saved the tick
You don't necessarily need to have seen a tick to be at risk. Because tick bites can be painless and ticks can be extremely small, you may not realize you've been bitten.
Lyme disease can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics, particularly when it is recognized and treated early.
Don't Let Ticks Keep You Indoors
Ticks are a real concern in Ontario, but they shouldn't prevent you from enjoying hiking, camping, gardening, sports and other outdoor activities.
A few simple habits can make a big difference:
Cover up. Repel. Check. Remove. Watch for symptoms.
Make tick checks part of your routine whenever you come home from spending time outdoors. If you find a tick, remove it promptly and monitor yourself for symptoms.
Knowing what to do before you encounter a tick can help you respond calmly and confidently when it happens.
Remember: Prevention Is Part of First Aid
At KMW Outreach, we believe first aid isn't just about responding to emergencies. It's also about knowing how to reduce risks before something happens.
Whether you're heading out for a family hike, working outdoors, camping at the cottage or exploring Ontario's trails, being prepared helps you enjoy the outdoors safely.
KMW Outreach Tip: Add a pair of fine-point tweezers, gloves, antiseptic wipes and other basic supplies to your first aid kit so you're prepared to deal with minor injuries (and unexpected ticks) while you're away from home.
Important: This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have been bitten by a tick or develop symptoms after possible tick exposure, speak with a health-care professional.
