🛡️ Tick Season Is Here — What Every Outdoor Family Needs to Know

Spring is finally showing up in Eastern Ontario, and that means we're all itching to get back into the bush. But there's one thing that comes with the warmer weather that we need to talk about — ticks.

I know, not the most glamorous campfire topic. But as a dad who's spent a LOT of time in Larose Forest and along the South Nation, I've learned that a little knowledge goes a long way. So let's break it down — practical, no-panic, real-world stuff you can use on your next outing. ✅

🔍 Know Your Enemy: What Are We Dealing With?

In Eastern Ontario, the two ticks you're most likely to encounter are:

Blacklegged Tick (Deer Tick) — the one that can carry Lyme disease. Small, dark, and sneaky. Nymphs (baby ticks) are about the size of a poppy seed.

American Dog Tick — bigger, easier to spot, and less likely to carry Lyme. Still not a welcome hitchhiker!

Peak season: April through November, with the highest risk in spring and early fall when nymphs are active. They love tall grass, leaf litter, forest edges, and brushy areas — basically everywhere we love to be. 😅

🧥 Before You Head Out: Prevention First

The best tick bite is the one that never happens. Here's how we prep:

Cover up — long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes. Tuck pants into socks (yes, it looks dorky; yes, it works 😄).

Light-coloured clothing — makes ticks way easier to spot.

Tick repellent — DEET (20–30%) or Icaridin on skin and clothing. For gear and clothing, permethrin spray is a game-changer (apply at home, let dry before wearing).

Stick to the trail — ticks hang out on vegetation waiting to latch on (called "questing"). Staying on cleared paths reduces contact.

Brief the kids — even young ones can learn to avoid brushing through tall grass and to do a tick check when they get back to the trailhead.

🔎 The Tick Check: Make It a Habit

After every outing, do a full-body tick check — on yourself, your kids, and your pets. Ticks love to hide in:

🦵 Behind the knees

👂 Around the ears and hairline

🦵 Groin area

🫁 Under the arms

🧠 Scalp and back of neck

🧦 Between the toes

Pro tip: Do the check in good light before jumping in the shower. Then shower within 2 hours of coming indoors — it helps wash off any unattached ticks and gives you a second chance to spot them.

🚿 If You Find a Tick: Stay Calm, Act Fast

Finding a tick doesn't mean disaster — it means you caught it. Here's what to do:

Use fine-tipped tweezers — grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

Pull upward with steady, even pressure — no twisting, no jerking.

Don't crush it — avoid squeezing the body.

Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water.

Save the tick in a sealed bag or container — you can submit it for testing through eTick.ca (free Canadian service!).

Note the date — if symptoms appear (rash, fever, fatigue, joint pain) within 3–30 days, see a doctor and mention the tick bite.

❌ Skip the folk remedies — no Vaseline, no matches, no nail polish. These can cause the tick to release more saliva into the bite.

📅 Lyme Disease: What to Watch For

Not every tick bite leads to Lyme, and not every blacklegged tick carries it. But it's worth knowing the signs:

Bull's-eye rash (erythema migrans) — appears in 70–80% of cases, usually 3–30 days after the bite

Flu-like symptoms — fever, chills, fatigue, muscle/joint aches, headache

Early treatment works — caught early, Lyme is very treatable with antibiotics. Don't wait.

When in doubt, call your family doctor or visit a walk-in. Mention the tick bite and where you were.

🌿 Making It a Family Routine

Here's how we make tick checks normal (not scary) in our family:

We call it the "Tick Patrol" — kids actually think it's kind of fun to be the one who spots one 😂

We keep a pair of tweezers and a small ziplock bag in our trail kit — always ready

We check the dog too (they can bring ticks inside even if you're clean)

We log any tick finds on eTick.ca — it's a great habit and helps track tick populations in our region

💬 Your Turn — Drop It Below!

Have you had a tick encounter on the trail? Found a good repellent that works for your family? Got a tip I missed?

Share it in the comments — this community is one of the best resources we've got. 👇🌲

Stay safe out there, and keep exploring,

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