Welcome to Tick Season!. Tick 101: What You Need to Know.
Anywhere birds can go, ticks can go (even Home Depot).
Even if you aren’t woodsy or outdoorsy, it’s essential to know that ticks can go anywhere you go.
Tick 101: What You Need to Know
While April to November is considered ‘official’ tick season, ticks can be roaming around as long as temperatures are above freezing and there isn’t any snow on the ground.
Q1. Are There Ticks in My Area?
This map shows the known endemic area in Ontario.
However, since most ticks aren’t recovered and tested, we anticipate this area is growing. Migratory birds can carry ticks. Anywhere birds can go, ticks can go.

This is a great summary link of Ontario Tick Stats (LINK).
Q2. How Do I Spot a Tick Bite on Myself (or Someone Else)?
Tick saliva carries an anesthetic, so you often don’t know you’ve been bitten.
At the nymph stage, ticks can be very small (think poppyseed-sized). They can, at times, be mistaken for a scab or freckle.
Have someone else check your body thoroughly when you come in from outside. Commonly missed spots include the backs of the legs, the backs of the arms, scalp and your back.

Q3. What Happens If I Find a Tick on Me (or someone else)?
Steps
1. Remove the tick (see video on how to remove a tick). If the head is embedded here is a video on how to use a poultice to extract the head.
2. Save the tick (put it inside a moistened paper towel, tuck it in a Ziploc bag. Put this Ziploc bag in a second bag, then put it in the freezer)
3. Snap a picture of the bite area immediately, and then every day for 10 days.
4. Monitor for Symptoms
Note: not all people get a bullseye rash, it can vary in shape and some people don’t get a rash at all.

Q4. How Do I Get This Tick Tested?
There are currently two testing options.
Option 1: Public Health (LINK)
Option 2: Private Tick Testing (LINK)
Q5. How Long Do I Watch for Symptoms?
Some people who get bitten will have a sudden onset of symptoms within 1 day; for some people, it can take up to a month to get a symptom reaction.
The most common symptoms can include:
- Low-grade fever (high fever if there is a co-infection)
- Headaches
- Stiff neck
- Malaise and Lethargy
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Pain
Q6. What About Testing?
The testing done by public health tests antibodies to Lyme. This means the body must make antibodies for a test to detect the disease.
Most immune systems will not make a strong enough response for 4-6 weeks after a bite for Lyme disease to be detected.
It is recommended to wait this long before testing, or if you’ve already been sent for a test, then retest if you have symptoms 4-6 weeks after the initial bite.
Q7. When Do I Start Treatment?
If you were bit in an endemic area and have symptoms, you can be treated for Lyme before having a positive test. You should start getting treatment right away.
The starting treatment usually uses an antibiotic called Doxycycline (not used in children under 8 years old – there are alternatives) and lasts at least 1 lifecycle of Lyme which is approximately 3 weeks. Depending on symptoms and the prescriber, you may be treated for at least 2 life cycles.
Q8. Will Lyme Be Gone with Treatment?
It depends. Some individuals with strong immune systems and no other health concerns do well, while others need care beyond the initial few weeks of antibiotics.