Tick Tok 101

It’s spring, which means all of us will be stepping out into the sun. Tick Talk 101

Ticks are arachnids, relatives of spiders, mites and scorpions. They survive on biting humans and animals and feeding on their blood. At 4ᵒC, a tick will start looking for an animal or person to feed on for a blood meal. In most parts of Canada, tick activity begins in early spring. Ticks continue to look for hosts on which to feed throughout the spring, summer and late fall until the temperature consistently remains below 4ᵒC. Ticks can be found in many areas across Canada. They prefer to live in the wooded area, in tall grasses and under leaf litter. Avoiding tick habitats is a good way to reduce the risk of exposure. Ticks crawl – they don’t jump, fly or drop from trees. They are drawn to hidden areas of the body. Be sure to check your pets (and yourself) thoroughly and often after spending time outdoors.

Are ticks increasing in my area?

Ticks have been increasing in number and expanding across Canada over the past 5 years. This is mainly due to changes in our climate, wildlife migration and people vacationing with their pets. With the expansion of ticks, there has also been an increase in reported cases of tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. Protecting your pet is important. Aside from being annoying, ticks can cause irritation to your pet if they bite, just as they would to us. If you find a tick in your home, whether on the bed sheets, carpet or floor this is a sign that a member of your family, human or pet, may have brought a tick into the house. If your pet is shaking its head excessively, has a fever or experiences fatigue, loss of appetite or is having trouble walking, this may indicate that they have been infected be a tick-transmitted disease. You should consult us immediately. Better yet, take action before you start to see evidence of ticks on your pet.

Contact us to discuss the protection that would work best for your pet.