Lyme disease is a serious illness caused by bacteria that are spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (also known as a deer tick). If you think you have been bitten by a tick and are concerned, contact your healthcare provider. If possible, keep the tick, take a photo and submit it to PHI.Intake@wdgpublichealth.ca or eTick for identification.
Ticks are usually found in woody or bushy areas but because they can be carried by birds it is possible to encounter them just about anywhere. Ticks do not jump, fly, or move very quickly, but will wait on low-growing vegetation and easily latch onto people and pets that brush against them.
The southern area of Wellington County (Puslinch), as well as much of the county that borders on Halton Region, have been identified by active surveillance (tick dragging) as high-risk areas.
A tick must be actively feeding to transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Early stages of Lyme disease may be treated with antibiotics if detected soon enough. Contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned.
For information about risk areas in Ontario, please refer to the Lyme Disease Estimated Risk Areas Map 2022.
How to prevent ticks bites and Lyme disease
- Download our Tick ID card (PDF, 2 pages, 288 KB) to carry with you
- Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easy to see
- Cover up by wearing closed footwear and tucking pants into socks
- Use a repellent that contains DEET or Icaridin and follow the manufacturer’s directions
- Perform full-body checks on yourself, children, and pets (if you find a tick on your pet, visit the Pet Tick Tracker)
- When you get home, put your clothes in the dryer for at least 10 minutes before washing them
- Find out how Lyme disease is identified and treated
What to do if you find a tick attached to your skin
If you’ve been bitten by a tick, remove it carefully using tweezers following these instructions, or a tick remover. Remove the tick as soon as possible. Removing ticks within 24 hours reduces the risk of infection. Submit the tick to PHI.Intake@wdgpublichealth.ca or eTick for identification.
Never:
- Flick or scratch an attached tick
- Use petroleum jelly, heat, or nail polish to remove a tick (these take too long to work)
- Remove a tick while holding it around the middle (abdomen)
- Burn an attached tick
These methods increase the chance of forcing harmful microorganisms out of the tick and into your bloodstream.
