Learn more about ticks to better protect yourself.

Before, during and after your outdoor activities, there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of tick bites.

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How to protect yourself according to your situation

This section contains all you need to know about tick bite prevention. For some Canadians, enjoying nature involves protecting themselves from mosquitoes or watching out for bears. Similarly, ticks are something to be aware of, for yourself and your pets, both around your property and when participating in outdoor activities further afield.

Although the risk for ticks and diseases transmitted by ticks is present across all provinces, it does vary. Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia consistently report the highest numbers of Lyme disease cases in Canada.

Whether you have lived in your area for a long time, or are visiting or moving to a new area, it is a good idea to inform yourself of your regional risk level so you can take adequate measures to protect yourself while enjoying the outdoors.

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Questing

The behavior ticks use to attach themselves to an animal or host is known as questing. Using their hind legs to cling to tall foliage or grass, they extend their front legs, waiting to climb onto a passing host. 

Tick size

Ticks come in different sizes. The nymph life stage of a tick is as small as a poppy seed1. Look for dark or discoloured spots2 and use your hands to feel for small bumps.

It is worthwhile noting that nymphs are more active in the spring and summer, whereas adult ticks tend to be more active in the fall. Depending on your location3,  it may be important to perform tick checks all year round.

How to protect yourself based on your situation?

Click on the following sections to learn more

Adults
Children
Pets
Garden

How can I protect myself? 

Protecting yourself from ticks involves a combination of simple steps to follow before, during and after outdoor activities. Whether you’re in your garden, out hiking or doing some gardening, each step plays an important role in reducing the risk of being bitten. The following recommendations will guide you through these different steps so that you can easily incorporate effective preventative habits into your daily routine.

1. Preparing before going outdoors

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Choosing suitable clothing

If you have already thought about what you could wear, you won’t need to worry about it at the last minute. It is very likely that you already own the clothing you need to minimise tick exposure when outdoors:

  • long sleeved tops
  • pants or leggings
  • socks
  • a hat
  • closed shoes

In hot weather, light colours have the added benefit of being cooler as well as making ticks easier to spot, and looser clothes may be more comfortable.

If you choose not to wear long layers, socks and closed shoes, bear in mind that the use of other preventive measures such as bug repellent and tick checks will be even more important.

‍If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you may wish to investigate and invest in permethrin-treated clothing4.‍

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Use bug repellent

Know which bug repellents are appropriate for you and your family.

There are two ingredients for tick protection recommended and authorised in Canada – DEET and Icaridine5. Ces produits sont également efficaces contre les moustiques, bien que la durée d’efficacité ne soit pas la même pour les deux. N’oubliez pas que d’autres répulsifs contre les moustiques peuvent ne pas être efficaces contre les tiques. Suivez toujours les instructions de l’étiquette pour savoir comment utiliser les répulsifs contre les insectes. Click here to find specific information about how to use bug repellents which are effective against ticks and readily available in Canada.

To increase the likelihood of remembering to apply bug repellent, it can be helpful to leave bottles in strategic places, such as by the door and in the car.

Check the weather

In general6, ticks are active when the temperature is above 4°C (39°F), therefore depending on where you live in Canada, you may need to think about tick prevention from April to November or even year-round. During the shoulder seasons, it is a good idea to check the weather forecast at the beginning of the day so you can be prepared before enjoying the outdoors.

2. While you are outdoors

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Stay on the trails

Watch where you are walking !

Sticking to the paths and trails minimises tick exposure, for yourself, children, and pets. Avoid brushing up against foliage of any kind where ticks may be questing (see image 7). If you choose to walk off the trails, the use of bug repellent and other preventive measures such as periodic7 tick checks will be even more important.

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Reapply bug repellent

If spending a long time outdoors, take the spray with you as it may need to be re-applied after 3-10 hours, depending on the product.

Check the label of your repellent for specific guidance.

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Spread the word!

Share your knowledge of ticks and tick bite prevention and create awareness!

3. Returning home

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Check clothing and equipment

Keeping a jar for ticks by the door can remind you to do this preliminary tick check before entering the house. Pay particular attention to your shoes (especially in between the laces), socks and pants.

Dry clothes

Put clothing into the dryer, on high heat, for at least 10 minutes8.

Leaving a laundry basket by the door is a good reminder to remove clothing and bring them to the dryer as soon as you are inside. Ticks die in dry conditions – not with heat – which is why putting clothing into the wash is not effective.

Shower and body check

PrTake a bath or shower and perform a thorough tick check as soon as possible after returning home.Take a bath or shower and perform a thorough tick check as soon as possible after returning home.

Key areas9 to check include the head and hair, ears, arms, chest, back, waist, belly button, groin, legs and behind knees, and between the toes, however it is important to check everywhere.

Resources

Video of an adult female blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis).

Ticks often move up the body (in this case an arm) looking for somewhere it can attach without being dislodged.

Watch the video

Video of a blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) at the nymph stage

Ticks often move up the body (in this case an arm) looking for somewhere it can attach without being dislodged.

Watch the video

How can I protect my children?

Approximately 11% of Lyme disease cases in Canada are in children aged 5-14 years. Children this age tend to play low to the ground and leave designated trails. They are also less likely to check themselves for ticks. However, it is not necessary to stop them playing outside or to reduce their interactions with nature. To protect children from tick bites, the same principles apply as for adults, with a few differences.

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Choosing appropriate clothing

Choosing appropriate clothing for children is very similar to adults, with a focus on long layers, closed shoes, and tucking clothes in (pants into socks, shirt into pants). 

Check the clothes intermittently as they can get untucked! Rain pants and rain suits with elasticated wrists and ankles may also help reduce exposure to ticks.

Use a suitable repellent

There are bug repellents suitable for children which are effective against ticks, authorized and widely available in Canada. As with adults, products containing either DEET or Icaridin are recommended and available. Click here for detailed information on how to use these repellents in different age groups.

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Bath check

Washing and performing a thorough tick check is important – scheduling bath-time as soon as possible after arriving back home provides a great time to do this in younger children. Key areas to check with infants and young children include the head, hair, and ears.This can be a fun and educational experience for the child, and eventually, they may offer to help check you!

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Resources

For information and activities related to ticks developed for children aged 4 years+, check out Health Canada Experiences: Ticks – little bugs, big problems.

How can I protect my pets?

Pets are at risk for tick bites and tick-borne diseases too, particularly as they tend to run off leash and in vegetation. Lyme disease poses a risk to dogs, whereas it is extremely unlikely to occur in cats. Anaplasmosis10 is the second most common disease spread by blacklegged ticks and can affect dogs, cats, and horses, as well as humans. 

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Tick control products

There are many options available for dogs and cats, which are applied and work differently. Several products will protect your pet against other parasites too. Speak to your veterinarian to understand which product will suit you and your pet best,11,depending on where you live, your lifestyle, and your pet.

There is a Lyme disease vaccine12 available for dogs – speak to your veterinarian to find out if this is something that would benefit you and your dog.

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Stay on the trails

By keeping your animal on paths and trails, and away from long grass, brush and leaf litter, you can minimise the chance of them acquiring ticks.

Similarly, there are measures you can take to reduce tick exposure on your property.

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Daily tick checks

In much the same way as we should check ourselves for ticks, performing a tick check at least once per day on your pets helps keep them safe and may reduce the chance of ticks being brought into the home.
This can be tricky if your pet has long or thick hair but do the best you can to check all over your pet, including the paws, legs, belly and head, and enjoy this time with your pet!

Ticks can be removed with fine-tipped tweezers or a tick puller device. Having someone with you to hold and distract your pet may be helpful.

If you are at all concerned about identifying or removing a tick, risk of disease, symptoms, or what to monitor for, contact your veterinarian. You can also submit photos of the tick for identification to eTick.

Can my dog give me Lyme disease ?
Pets are not able to transmit Lyme disease to humans. Having a pet has been associated with an increased risk of tick bites or disease transmitted by ticks in their owners. This is usually because having a pet means you spend more time outdoors and in proximity to ticks. It does not mean you should avoid having pets! If you see ticks on your pet, this suggests that you may be exposed to ticks outdoors and that you should take steps to protect both you, your pet(s), and your family.

Resources

For more information about ticks and your pets, you can explore Tick Talk, a website developed by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

How can I reduce ticks in my yard? 

There are many practical measures you can take to reduce the chance of tick exposure in your yard. Each measure provides an additional layer of protection, and by implementing multiple measures you can significantly reduce the presence of ticks on your property.

Keep in mind that engaging in yard work and outdoor activities is associated with an increased risk of acquiring a tick bite and a disease transmitted by ticks. So, while working on your property, remember to protect yourself and your pets and to perform a tick check when you have finished!

Based on a recent synthesis of the scientific literature, our interactive yard illustration provides information on measures you can take to reduce your risk of tick exposure on your property. Click on the elements in the illustration highlighted in white to learn about each measure.

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1. Identify tick habitats.

Identify where ticks, small mammals and deer may be found on your property. These are usually wooded areas, or areas with herbaceous plants, brush, or leaf litter. Clearing brush and trimming branches, particularly where they meet the lawn, can make these habitats less attractive to ticks. 

2. Remove leaf litter.

Ticks hide in leaf litter to protect themselves from hot, dry conditions. By removing leaf litter from the lawn and around walls and wood piles, you can make your property less appealing to ticks.

3. Maintain the grass.

Ticks don’t like short grass as it exposes them to the sun. Furthermore, ticks climb up long blades of grass to attach to a person or animal walking past. By keeping the grass short, ticks will not be able to attach themselves as easily.

4. Install a wood chip barrier.

Putting in place a barrier of wood chips or rocks to separate potential tick habitats and your lawn may help to reduce ticks on your lawn. Ideally this barrier would be at least 3-ft wide. 

5. Consider how you feed wildlife.

Feeding wildlife is associated with an increased risk of acquiring a tick bite and a disease transmitted by ticks. If you choose to feed wildlife, you may wish to consider doing so away from commonly used areas.

6. Consider your activity areas. 

Based on two studies, the odds of being bitten by a tick are up to 45% higher on properties with an activity area (e.g., an area for sitting, dining, play, or lawn sports). Therefore, it is recommended to keep these activity areas close to the house and away from potential tick habitats. If possible, keep these areas in a sunny spot, as ticks do not like dry conditions and on wood chips rather than grass.

7. Install a fence. 

Based on two studies, the odds of acquiring a tick bite are up to 42% higher on properties with no fence. Installing an 8-foot fence helps to keep out deer and other animals which can bring ticks onto your property. Installing a fence around the area in which you spend most of your time may be more feasible than your entire property.

8. Consider your gardens.

Deer like to eat certain plants, and being an important vector for ticks, they can bring many ticks onto your property. By choosing deer-resistant plants and crops in your garden, you can make your property less appealing to deer.

9. Consider your wood pile.

Based on four studies, the odds of acquiring a disease transmitted by ticks is up to 67% more likely on properties with a wood pile. Wood piles provide refuge for small mammals, which may bring ticks onto your property. Keeping wood piles away from the house away from commonly used areas can help to reduce your tick exposure. 

10. Check stone walls.

Based on four studies, the odds of acquiring a disease transmitted by ticks is up to 46% more likely on properties with a stone wall. Sealing stone walls and other openings can help to prevent small mammals from bringing ticks into the yard.  

FAQ

It is important for me that I manage my property in a way that supports insects, pollinators, and wildlife. Won’t some of these tick prevention measures conflict with this?
Many people are concerned that practices such as removal of brush and leaf litter or keeping the grass short can disrupt local ecosystems. Unfortunately, some habitats which are favourable for insects are also favourable for ticks. Instead of choosing an ‘all or nothing’ approach, you can instead implement preventive measures in the area(s) of your property in which you spend the most time. For example, you could keep the grass short where children play, or where you sit, and find one or more patches elsewhere on your property to keep long and less maintained.
I love nature, and I don’t want to intervene by changing anything on my property. 
Understandably, many people choose to live in areas which are wooded or grassy because they love nature. Whether or not you choose to implement any of the suggested behaviours comes down to personal choice and risk tolerance. If you choose not to make any modifications, it is important that you focus on other preventive methods such as using bug repellent, wearing long layers of clothing, and performing regular tick checks.
I have heard that there is a chemical which can be sprayed onto the property to reduce ticks. Is this true?
The use of acaricides is not a commonly used preventive measure, however people living in areas which are highly endemic for ticks may think about this option. The major considerations include the potential for resistance to develop in ticks, harmful effects on insects and pollinators, and varying availability across provinces. It is best to contact your municipality to find out if this is permitted, and who is authorised to implement these measures.
I can’t afford to put up deer fencing around my entire property. Is this necessary?
Installing fencing is expensive, and it is unlikely that most people would choose to fence their entire property. Instead, you could consider fencing an area of your property which you use frequently. An added benefit is that deer will not be able to eat plants in your garden!
I have heard of other tick prevention options, such as garlic sprays and keeping guinea fowl. Do these options work?
There is no clear evidence demonstrating how the use of garlic sprays and guinea fowl can effectively reduce numbers of adult and nymphal stage ticks in the medium to long term, or demonstrating a reduced risk of infection with a disease transmitted by ticks.
Do devices which target rodents in the yard help to reduce ticks?
At the time of writing, there are two devices on the market which apply an acaricide to rodents. It is not clear in which contexts these are most effective and some of these must be used by licensed pest management professionals. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to recommend widespread use of these methods.
What does hardscaping or xeriscaping have to do with tick prevention?
Hardscaping is the addition of man-made materials to a property, such as concrete. This is usually done by converting green spaces, and therefore reduces the amount of habitat suitable for ticks. If you are considering hardscaping your property, remember that green spaces can provide many benefits such as flood protection, temperature moderation and habitat for wildlife. Xeriscaping is the use of plants which tolerate very dry conditions so that the property can be kept drier and less favourable for ticks, which tend to prefer more humid environments.

Resources

For more advice on things you can do to reduce ticks around your home, you can consult.  Produced by the Government of Canada.

Watch the video

Notes

[1] Aussi petites que ça? Les nymphes peuvent être confondues avec des grains de beauté ou des taches de rousseur en raison de leur petite taille.

[2] Il peut être utile de disposer d'un miroir en pied, d'un miroir à main et d'un rouleau à peluches à l'endroit où vous effectuerez les contrôles. L'identification d'une tique peut être facilitée par l'utilisation d'une loupe ou la prise d'une photo numérique avec zoom.

[3] Les tiques sont généralement actives à partir de 4°C (39°F). Selon l'endroit où vous vivez, les tiques peuvent être saisonnières (par exemple, d'avril à novembre) ou être actives toute l'année.

[4] Les vêtements traités à la perméthrine offrent une protection contre les tiques et les moustiques. Ces vêtements sont utilisés par l'armée depuis plusieurs décennies et sont approuvés pour les personnes âgées de plus de 16 ans. Les vêtements traités à la perméthrine conviennent aux femmes enceintes ou qui allaitent, mais il est recommandé de ne pas les porter pendant l'allaitement afin d'éviter que les nourrissons n'entrent en contact avec le produit. Pour plus d'informations sur l'utilisation des vêtements traités à la perméthrine, consultez la page web de l'Agence de santé publique du Canada.

[5] Il n'existe pas d'insectifuge pour les bébés de moins de 6 mois. Une moustiquaire peut être utilisée comme un imperméable pour protéger le bébé (par exemple, au-dessus de la poussette ou du berceau).

[6] En général, les tiques sont actives lorsque la température est supérieure à 4°C (39°F). Cependant, il faut savoir que les microclimats locaux dans les habitats des tiques peuvent signifier que les tiques sont actives lorsque les températures ambiantes sont inférieures à 4°C.

[7] La fréquence des contrôles dépend de votre niveau de confort et de votre type d'activité. Si vous travaillez à l'extérieur toute la journée, vous pouvez choisir d'effectuer une brève vérification des tiques à chaque pause et une vérification complète à la fin de la journée. Si vous partez pour une courte randonnée, vous pouvez choisir d'effectuer un contrôle complet des tiques à votre retour à la maison. Bien entendu, vous pouvez également garder un oeil sur les tiques tout au long de l'activité.

[8] Combien de temps faut-il pour sécher des vêtements à haute température? 10 minutes: Il faudra plus de temps si les vêtements sont mouillés.

[9]Les principales zones à vérifier chez les nourrissons et les jeunes enfants sont la tête, les cheveux et les oreilles.

[10]ILe nombre de cas signalés au Canada a augmenté au cours des dernières années. La bactérie responsable de l'anaplasmose chez les humains, les chiens, les chats et les chevaux est différente de celle qui cause l'anaplasmose chez les bovins.

[11]IEn fin de compte, le produit qui fonctionnera le mieux est celui qui correspond à votre budget, que vous vous sentez à l'aise d'utiliser tout au long de l'année et que vous n'oublierez pas d'utiliser! Il peut être très utile de prévoir des rappels tout au long de l'année.

[12]eCependant, le vaccin contre la maladie de Lyme ne protège pas contre d'autres maladies émergentes transmises par les tiques. Les méthodes de prévention contre les tiques restent donc importantes.

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