If it feels like you're hearing about ticks more often this year, you're not alone.
Across southeastern Ontario, residents are reporting more ticks on pets, livestock and people, and according to Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) infectious diseases specialist Dr. Gerald Evans, there is a good reason why.
"This is the kind of winter ticks would choose every year if they could," said Evans, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at KHSC.
While many people associate harsh winters with fewer insects and pests, ticks are different. Although they can survive cold temperatures, they are vulnerable to drying out. This past winter's deep and persistent snow cover created ideal conditions for them to survive until spring.
"Ticks have proteins that act like antifreeze and help them survive the cold," Evans explained. "What they don't tolerate well is becoming dehydrated. The snow acted like an insulating blanket that protected them from the dry winter conditions that would normally kill many of them."
As a result, more ticks survived the winter and emerged this spring, leading to increased numbers across the region.
Why some ticks are harder to spot
One of the biggest concerns is the blacklegged tick, also known as the deer tick, which can carry Lyme disease as well as other illnesses.
According to Evans, the ticks people should be most concerned about right now are not necessarily the larger adult ticks that are easier to spot.
The greatest risk comes from immature ticks called nymphs.
"Nymphs are really the dangerous ones because they're very small," said Evans. "You may not even notice they're attached to you, and they're efficient at transmitting infections."
Nymphs are often no larger than a poppy seed, making them easy to miss during routine tick checks.
More than just Lyme disease
Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness in the Kingston area, but it isn't the only one.
Blacklegged ticks can also transmit anaplasmosis, a bacterial infection, and babesiosis, a parasite that infects red blood cells and causes an illness similar to malaria.
"We're seeing all three of those diseases in this region now," said Evans.
Fortunately, Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are both treated with doxycycline, an antibiotic that is highly effective when treatment begins early.
What to do if you find a tick
Unlike mosquitoes, which bite and leave, ticks attach themselves to the skin and can remain there for several days while feeding.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it as soon as possible using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upward steadily without twisting.
Because the Kingston region is considered an area where Lyme disease is established, Evans recommends speaking with a pharmacist or health-care provider after removing an attached tick.
"If you notice an attached tick, a pharmacist can provide a single preventive dose of doxycycline that can reduce the risk of developing Lyme disease," he said.
Symptoms to watch for
One of the earliest signs of Lyme disease is an expanding red rash, often described as looking like a bull's-eye.
"The classic rash has a red ring around the outside and lighter skin in the centre, but any expanding area of redness should be taken seriously," Evans said.
Other early symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Joint pain
When treated early, Lyme disease is highly curable.
However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause more serious complications, including facial paralysis, heart rhythm abnormalities, neurological symptoms and arthritis.
A changing landscape
Experts continue to monitor how climate change is affecting tick populations and the spread of tick-borne diseases.
Warmer temperatures have already helped blacklegged ticks establish permanent populations in areas where they could not previously survive.
Researchers are also watching the northward movement of the Lone Star tick, a species found primarily in the United States that has been linked to alpha-gal syndrome, a condition that can trigger allergic reactions to red meat.
While the Lone Star tick has not established populations in Canada, Evans says it is something health experts are keeping an eye on as temperatures continue to rise.
Enjoy the outdoors - just be tick aware
Despite the increase in tick activity, Evans says people should continue enjoying parks, trails and outdoor recreation.
The key is being aware of the risk and taking simple precautions.
"Wear protective clothing when you're in wooded or grassy areas, use insect repellent and perform regular tick checks when you come inside," he said. "Check yourself, check your children and check your pets. The sooner you find a tick, the better."
With more ticks expected this season, a few extra minutes spent checking for them could help prevent illness later on.
