Shaynee Modien
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Shaunavon Standard
As the weather warms up this April, ticks in Saskatchewan become more active once again.
During the spring, ticks emerge from hiding and start laying eggs or searching for hosts, causing problems not only for our pets but also for humans.
Ticks are small, blood-sucking bugs that resemble spiders. They attach themselves to a host, living and thriving off blood. Eventually, they gorge themselves and fall off up to two weeks later, leaving the host with itchiness, swelling, and other possible issues.
As the weather becomes warmer, going for walks with or without pets in parks and other treed areas, including those with grass, shrubs, and leaf piles, becomes more common. It’s essential to be vigilant in these areas, as they are where ticks love to be.
To prepare for your outings, take the following precautionary measures:
- Wear light-colored clothes to make it easier to spot ticks.
- Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and shoes to prevent exposure.
- Pull your socks up over your pant legs to prevent ticks from crawling up.
- Use insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin. Remember to apply repellent to both your clothes and skin, and always follow the directions.
In Canada, clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin has been approved for use by people over 16. You can find these products at stores like Mark’s.
After spending time outside, shower or bathe as soon as possible to wash off loose ticks. Inspect yourself and your pets for attached ticks.
If you find a tick attached to yourself, someone else, or your pet, carefully remove it using fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick’s mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull slowly upward with firm, steady pressure.
While there are long-term diseases like Lyme disease that can be caused by ticks, the Government of Saskatchewan website notes that the risk of exposure to Lyme disease remains low in the province. Stay vigilant and take proper precautions to protect yourself and others.
Most ticks found in Saskatchewan are the American dog tick, which is active from April to July and cannot transmit Lyme disease to people. Blacklegged ticks, which can cause Lyme disease, are rare in Saskatchewan and are typically introduced by migratory birds.
This spring, remember to stay safe, have fun, and check for these unwanted attachments. For more information on ticks and Lyme disease, including how to submit a tick for testing, visit saskatchewan.ca/lyme or https://research-groups.usask.ca/ticks/#Passivesurveillance.
