Ticks

Ticks & Lyme Disease Information

The East Wellington Family Health Team (EWFHT) provides resources for safely navigating Ontario's outdoors, focusing on reducing risks from tick-borne illnesses through education.

Tick Prevention & Preferred Habitats

Prevention relies on recognizing habitats and taking precautions:

• Habitats: Ticks thrive in mixed hardwood forests, tall grass, and leaf litter. Reference the University of Rhode Island TickEncounter Resource Guide for more information.
• Prevention: Stay on trails, wear protective clothing, and tuck pants into socks.
• Body Checks: Perform thorough checks for ticks on yourself, children, and pets after being in high-risk areas.

Safe Tick Removal & Species Identification

If a tick is attached, remove it promptly using fine-tipped tweezers by pulling straight up, avoiding crushing the body. Consult the Government of Canada Guide for removal techniques.

Private Infection Testing Laboratories

While Public Health Ontario provides species identification, you may choose to use private laboratories to test for Borrelia burgdorferi:

• Entomogen: See the Entomogen Testing Portal for details.
• Geneticks: Visit the Geneticks Canada Laboratory Page for options.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Monitor for early symptoms within 3 to 30 days, as bites may not be painful:

• An expanding "bull's-eye" rash.
• Fever, headache, chills, and fatigue.

A Note Regarding Family Pets

While dogs can get Lyme disease, symptoms appear in less than 5% of exposed cases; consult your veterinarian with concerns.