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How to avoid tick bites while enjoying the great outdoors

May 26, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The warm weather has finally arrived, and people are spending more time outdoors to enjoy it.

While many people like to spend time in natural environments like parks and woodlands, you want to avoid the risk of being bit by an infected tick while you are on the trails.

Blacklegged ticks are common in Ontario and can carry Lyme disease – a serious but preventable illness.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is providing information to help you prevent bites from ticks so that you can focus on enjoying being outdoors.

Ticks prefer to live in moist, shaded environments – especially leafy wooded areas and overgrown grassy habitats.

Lyme disease is passed through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Early symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and an expanding red rash. Symptoms may begin from three to 30 days after being exposed.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be successfully treated during the early stages when the first symptoms appear. More severe symptoms, including recurring arthritis, neurological problems, and heart disorders, can occur if left untreated.

Avoiding being bitten in the first place, removing ticks quickly after a bit, and early detection can effectively prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

You can reduce your chance of exposure by being vigilant when heading outdoors to grassy or woody areas.

Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants and shoes with closed toes. Light colour clothing makes ticks easier to spot.

Use insect repellent with DEET or Icaridin. If possible, stay on the trails when walking or biking in the woods and other natural areas.

After spending time outdoors, do a full body tick check on yourself, your family, and any pets as soon as you can. You can use a mirror or ask someone to help you check any hard-to-see places.

Removing a tick within 24 hours can prevent infection. Taking a shower within two hours of being outdoors can help to wash away any loose ticks before the bite.

A black-legged tick is very tiny, so look for any little black spots.

If you find a tick, remove it as soon as possible and check the rest of your body, as there could be more.

Once removed, visit eTick.ca to identify the tick and follow the guidance provided.

If you develop any symptoms associated with Lyme disease, be sure to speak with your health care provider.

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