Common Ticks In Canada

by Jennifer Smith May 04, 2018

Because it's Lyme Disease Awareness Month, it's important for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts to be on the lookout for ticks. White-tailed deer are the most common carriers of ticks in North America; and gardeners must use the recommended methods of deer management to stay protected from tick diseases. While not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, some do carry harmful illnesses that can affect daily living and wellness.

This spring and summer, be on the lookout for these common tick species in Canada:

Eastern Black-legged Tick

Blacklegged Ticks, also referred to as 'Deer Ticks,' are commonly found along the East Coast of the United States during the spring, summer and fall months. Adult deer ticks can search for a host year-round, even in the winter when temperatures are above freezing. Deer ticks attach themselves to warm-blooded hosts, including domestic animals, wildlife and humans. Some deer ticks do transmit Lyme Disease and other pathogens including babesiosis and Powassan Disease.

American Dog Tick

Received it's name because it chooses dogs as primary hosts; then humans. The highest risk of being bitten by American Dog Ticks occurs during spring and summer. Dog ticks can transmit Tularemia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; but they do not transmit Lyme.

Lone Star Tick

Known for the white dot on the shell, the Lone Star Tick is an aggressive tick species that will attack humans and pets. This type of tick is known to transmit red meat allergies as well as Tularemia, STARI and Ehlichiosis.

Other ticks that cause worry include the Rocky Mountain Wood Tick and the Western Black-legged Tick, the cousin of the Eastern Deer Tick.

Gardeners will need to rid deer from gardens for tick disease prevention. If homeowners can keep deer off of yards, then they will reduce the chance of a tick bite.