Ontario’s tick population is on the rise, along with the risk of Lyme disease
With more people getting outside and returning to normal activities this summer, there is a renewed warning about ticks in the region.
The tick population is on the rise across Ontario. Experts say it’s due in part to disruptions in the food chain.
“Weirdly, the decrease in wolves in the northeast because of humans, is thought to be indirectly responsible for the increase in ticks,” explains CTV Science and Technology Specialist Dan Riskin. “Because they’re gone, there are more coyotes, and because there are more coyotes there are fewer foxes, and because there are fewer foxes there are more small mammals like mice, and those mice are a great place for ticks to breed.”
High populations of ticks can be found in areas like trails, forests, provincial parks, and conservation areas. A study from the University of Ottawa on ticks in the National Capital Region shows that on average, of all the ticks found across 23 different areas, 30% were carrying Lyme disease.
“We’ve had a few reported cases,” says Renfrew County’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Cushman. “Ottawa, our neighbouring city, has had a fair amount of reported cases.”
So what can you do to avoid being bitten by a tick this summer?
“When you finish your hike, you check yourself,” says Riskin. “And if you have young kids you check them too. And you look over the whole body, these are very small things. They can be like sesame seed small, they can be like poppy seed small.”
Dr. Cushman also says families should not forget about pets, who are lower to the ground and often times like to roll in the grass and shrubbery.
“If you discover a tick borrowed under your skin a day or two after you’ve been hiking, and you see that it’s engorged, much bigger sized, that’s when you need to get some advice,” says Dr. Cushman.
Although the population of ticks is lowest in urban parks according to the study by the University of Ottawa, experts say it’s no reason to let your guard down.
“It’s possible to get ticks in your backyard,” says Riskin. It’s possible to pick the up when you’re in Gatineau or if you make a trip out to Algonquin, they’re everywhere.”
But just because they are out there, doesn’t mean they should be another reason people stay inside this summer, says Riskin.
“I think everybody should be thinking about ticks, but it shouldn’t be stopping them from going outside.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.