Tick Population Soars in Thunder Bay Area

by Jennifer Smith July 18, 2017

We are half way through summer; and there have already been 600 ticks submitted for analysis in the Thunder Bay Area in Canada. (That's about 200 more than last year.) Officials in Thunder Bay are advising homeowners, gardeners, hikers and campers to take the necessary precautions when outdoors this season.

About 35 reported ticks have been identified as black-legged ticks, most commonly known as the deer tick. These ticks were from submissions about in May and June of this year. These types of ticks carry Lyme Disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Officials want residents of Thunder Bay to raise awareness about the growing tick problem and take the initial steps toward tick prevention.

Hikers and campers should carry tick removal tools when out-and-about in case they need to act quickly to respond to a tick bite. It is also advised to do the following:

Wear bright colored, long-sleeve shirts and pants to notice a tick;
Spray insect repellents around the body - especially around the ankles;
Do not move firewood or leaves closer to the home to stop traveling ticks;

"We have had locally-acquired, positive ticks last year in Thunder Bay," said Ken Deacon, the health unit's vector-borne disease program coordinator. "So, later in the season, we'll probably see some positives for ticks that have been picked up within the district."