With a new season comes a new concern, especially for our four-legged friends.
Tick populations are on the rise in Halton. The black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, has becoming an increasing problem in the last few years, according to a 2024 report from Halton Region Public Health.
The black-legged tick is also the only known tick to carry Lyme disease in Ontario, making their increase in population troublesome to many.
Acton pet groomer Pawsitively Furbulous Pup Palace recently took to Facebook to warn dog owners about the “alarming rate” of ticks they've been finding.
“You didn't used to see ticks all that often, but as the climate is changing, ticks are becoming more prevalent during the whole year, not just the tick or flea season. Last year we got about 10 ticks for the whole season. This year we've seen 12 already,” said Pup Palace owner Jaime Sheppard, a dog groomer for 30 years.
As temperatures warm up and tick populations grow throughout the spring, summer and fall, Halton Region suggests avoiding areas where they thrive — namely wooded areas and places with long grass.
However, they can also be found in your backyard. Sheppard notes that many of the owners of the dogs she has found ticks on don’t live in the countryside, but in town.
With the increase in population, it is important to also ensure that backyards are maintained to discourage ticks taking up residence. This includes regularly mowing lawns to keep grass short, and removing leaf litter and weeds around fences.
Andreia Barbosa, who works at Amazing Pet Grooming in Milton, said that while the amount of ticks they’ve found on dogs isn’t as concerning to them, “the groomers noticed that they've been getting them earlier this year and quite a few of them.”
Barbosa said that many of the ticks were found on dogs’ faces, paws and upper backs. She said longer coats are much more likely to have undetected ticks on them and only become noticeable when using the blow dryer.
There are many ways to remove a tick from a dog or person once it's found. The Region recommends using tweezers as close to the skin as possible, to ensure the head remains attached, and slowly pull it out.
Sheppard said that once the tick is removed it should be put in a plastic bag so that it may be tested for Lyme disease. Only live ticks can be properly tested for the disease.
For dog owners worried about their furry friends contracting Lyme disease, Sheppard suggests consulting their vets for tick and flea preventatives. Unfortunately for humans worried about contracting the disease, there isn’t a vaccine or medication to prevent it.
Which is why it is important for people to cover up when going into forested areas, staying on trails during hikes and spraying clothes and exposed skin with repellents that contain DEET or icaridin to help deter ticks.
According to Halton Region, if a tick is removed within 24 hours then the chances of getting Lyme disease is extremely low, which is why it is important to check for ticks after being outside.
Some of the common symptoms of Lyme disease in people are a circular red rash, extreme fatigue, and fever or chills. Symptoms are slightly different in dogs, which include lameness, joint swelling and loss of appetite.
For more information on ticks, visit the Halton Region website or the Public Health Agency of Canada.
