Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick.

Do all ticks carry Lyme disease?

In Ontario, the only ticks known to carry Lyme disease are blacklegged ticks. Not all blacklegged ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is extremely low.

Watch: Enjoy the outdoors, without a tick (YouTube video)

Can Lyme disease affect my pet?

Yes, just like humans, Lyme disease can affect pets. Check your pet for ticks after being outdoors and if you are concerned contact a veterinarian.

Where is there a risk for ticks/Lyme disease in Halton?

Halton Region staff members perform tick dragging in the spring and fall. This is a method of collecting ticks for the purpose of identifying risk areas where past tick surveillance indicated the potential presence of blacklegged ticks. Based on this surveillance, all of Halton is considered a risk area for Lyme disease (external PDF). The risk of contracting Lyme disease in Halton is considered to be low but has been increasing. It is important to practice proper tick prevention in Halton where ticks are more likely to be present (wooded, tall grass or brushy areas).

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Symptoms of Lyme disease can be different for each person and usually begin within three days to one month after being bitten by an infected tick.

Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Blacklegged ticks can transmit other diseases such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan virus and Borrelia miyamotoi, however the risk of contracting these diseases remains low in Halton Region.

How can I prevent tick bites?

There are several steps you can take to prevent tick bites:

• If possible, avoid known tick environments (such as wooded, brushy or tall grass areas) and stay on trails when outdoors.
• Cover up by wearing long sleeved, light coloured shirts and pants with tightly woven fabric.
• Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pant legs into your socks to keep ticks away from your bare skin.
• Wear shoes that cover your entire foot, avoiding sandals or open shoes.
• Spray clothing and exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Check your clothing and body for any ticks, especially around the groin, armpits and hairline after spending time outdoors. 
• Check your pets regularly for ticks as they could carry them inside your home.
• Shower or bathe within two hours or being outdoors to wash away loose ticks.
• After outdoor activity, put clothes in a dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes to kill any ticks.

If I find a tick on myself or a family member/friend, what should I do?

• If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible.
• The risk of getting Lyme disease increases with the length of time the tick remains attached.
• If a blacklegged tick has bitten you, you may be at risk of developing Lyme disease. Talk to your health care provider or ask your pharmacist about antibiotic medication to prevent the development of Lyme disease.

How to remove a tick:

• Use fine-tip tweezers to grasp the tick’s head and mouth parts as close to your skin as possible.
• Slowly pull straight out until the tick is removed.
• Be careful not to twist or crush the tick during removal.
• If this occurs, the risk of infection is not increased.
• Keeping the tick intact will help in the identification of the tick.
• Store the tick in a sealed dry container. Do not squish the tick.
• After removing the tick, use soap and water to wash the area of the bite.

Watch: How to properly remove a tick (YouTube video)

How do I submit a tick?

• Remove the tick as soon as possible and store the tick in a sealed dry container. Do not squish the tick.
• If you have a tick that you would like identified a free on-line tick identification service can provide quick species identification (external link).
• The tick submission program has been discontinued at Halton Region Public Health. As of September 20, 2021, the National Microbiology Laboratory will no longer accept blacklegged ticks for testing as part of the passive surveillance program.
• If there is a concern of Lyme disease please contact your Health Care provider.

How can I reduce the number of blacklegged ticks around my home?

• Mow the lawn regularly to keep the grass short.
• Remove leaf litter, brush and weeds at the edge of the lawn and around stonewalls and woodpiles.
• Stack firewood neatly and in a dry area.
• Put barriers to exclude deer around your home and seal stonewalls and small openings to discourage rodent activity.
• Place children's recreational playground sets, patios and decks away from the yard edges and trees. Place them on a woodchip or mulch foundation and in a sunny location, if possible.
• Treat pets that are commonly exposed to ticks with oral or topic acaricides (pesticide) as recommended by your veterinarian.

Watch: How to reduce ticks around your home (YouTube video)

Tick surveillance activity