Be Tick Smart: Lyme Disease is in Ontario

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Ticks don't keep their distance!

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Ticks carrying Lyme disease are found around Pike Lake. These black-legged

ticks (also known as deer ticks) attach to birds which migrate from place to place,

bringing this health risk. While Lyme disease is easily treated when detected early,

it can have serious and permanent health consequences if left untreated.

Ticks can affect your pets as well as yourself.

 

April 29, 2021 The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has just released a document

with information regarding ticks on the rise and some tips on how to avoid a tick bite.  

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You can link to the full article here. 

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Below is some information from the Government of Ontario website. For lots of other great info click here.

 

How to avoid getting a tick bite:

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• Cover up - wear light coloured clothing, (so it's easier to see ticks), closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, tucked into your socks;

• Use insect repellent - one that says "DEET" or "icaridin" on it and put on your clothes and exposed skin, reading labels for directions on use; 

• Put clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes before washing - to kill any ticks which might be on them; 

• Check yourself and your children after being outdoors - look behind your knees, on your head, in your belly button, in your groin area, in your underarm area, on the back of your body using a mirror;

• Shower as soon as you can to wash off any ticks;

• Check your pets for ticks - check your pet's skin and remove any ticks. Ask your veterinarian about options to keep ticks off your pets. 

• Maintain your property - keep grass mowed short; trim bushes and tree branches to let sunshine in; create a one meter border of gravel or wood chips; remove leaf litter, brush and weed at the edge of the lawn; move children's play equipment away from wooded areas and consider placing on wood chip or mulch foundation.