Learn how to check for ticks and remove them2 min read

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Blacklegged ticks can carry diseases that can make us sick, including Lyme disease. Unfortunately, the blacklegged tick population is spreading in Ontario. Ticks can be found in many areas of Ontario any time of year when the temperature is above freezing. It is important to check yourself for ticks after being outside to avoid getting sick.

How to do a tick check

Ticks are tiny! They may be hard to see. You can feel for small bumps and look for small dark spots on your body. Use a mirror or ask for help to check your entire body for ticks. You should check everywhere but there are a few key spots to look. The top hiding spots for ticks include:

• Head and hair
• Around the ears
• Between toes
• Legs and behind the knees
• Under the arms
• Around your chest
• Your back, waist and belly button
• Around the groin

How to remove a tick

If you find a tick attached to your skin, you should remove it immediately with clean tweezers. Grab the tick’s head and mouth as close to your skin as possible. Pull slowly to remove. Do not twist or rotate. Wash the area afterwards with soap and water. You can identify the tick by taking a picture and submitting it to etick.ca.

Ticks may also crawl on your body or clothes before they attach themselves to your skin. Take a shower to wash any unattached ticks off your body. Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes to kill any ticks. Don’t forget to check your pets for ticks as well!

Watch this video to learn more about tick prevention when spending time outdoors. You can also read more about Lyme disease and tick prevention here.