Everything You Need To Know About Ticks And Tick Bites

Are ticks ticking you off? Ticks are not only a nuisance, but tick bites can also cause serious health issues with the pathogens they transmit. Knowing how to prevent and remove a tick is incredibly important to protect you and your family from these blood-sucking pests. Here’s everything you need to know about ticks – from where they’re typically found to how to remove them.

Tick Habitat

From wooded and vegetated areas outdoors to the comfort of the indoors, a tick’s habitat can be a variety of locations. They can be found even in your own backyard. But one thing all ticks have in common is their use of our furry friends – deer, dogs and other pets – as hosts. If given the opportunity, ticks will also jump on humans to secure their next meal. In fact, ticks on humans is becoming a more common occurrence, so it’s crucial to be proactive in preventing tick bites.

Tick Behaviour

A tick’s diet is simple. Ticks feed on the blood of humans and animals (including wildlife and pets). Depending on the type of tick, once it attaches itself, it generally will take about 3–10 days before getting full and falling off. Adult ticks generally need larger hosts to feed on, like deer, dogs, rabbits, squirrels and humans.

Tick Bites

In addition to knowing what type of tick is present, knowing how long they’ve been attached is also important to prevent tick diseases. The longer a tick has been attached, the more time it has to transmit diseases. So, what does a tick bite look like? Once a tick is removed, you will likely see a distinctive red spot at the site of the bite. 

Symptoms from Tick Bites

If a tick has a disease, such as Lyme disease, it can be transmitted through a tick bite and cause symptoms. These symptoms vary depending on species of tick. 

For example, here are some potential symptoms that could indicate Lyme disease: 

• Fever 
• Rash (bullseye or other) 
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• Swollen joints 
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 

How to Remove a Tick

Because ticks can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis, they should be removed immediately.* To remove ticks from a pet or person at home:

• Grab the tick at the base of mouthparts with tweezers as close to the skin as possible.
• Pull steadily and firmly outward, being careful not to leave the mouthparts in the skin.
• Wash the bite wound with soap and warm water once the tick is removed.

*If you are concerned about a tick bite, contact a medical professional.

How to Prevent a Tick Infestation

Ticks are not seasonal pests, but they tend to be more problematic during the spring and summer when people are spending more time outdoors. If you enjoy spending your time outdoors, there are a few precautionary steps you can take to avoid tick bites 

• If possible, stay away from tick infested areas.
• If going outdoors in potential tick infested areas, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants  with ends tucked into socks or boots.
• Wear light coloured clothing. It makes it easy to spot ticks on your body.Keep up with your yard’s landscaping by keeping the grass mowed.
• Stay on paths when walking through wooded areas.
• Inspect your body, arms and legs for ticks when you return from outdoor tick infested areas.
• Keep pets away from wooded areas.
• Control and prevent  wildlife and rodent activities on property.

Download your Guide to Managing Ticks to keep yourself safe and protected from ticks. 

Orkin Canada can help manage tick infestations through our professional tick control treatment and monitoring. Learn more about Orkin Canada’s tick  control program. 

Reviewed by Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc on August 9, 2024.

With more than 20 years of experience, Alice is technical advisor, also responsible for the management of the Orkin Canada Quality Assurance Laboratory located at our GTA Training Centre. She performs analytical entomology (investigates product adulteration using biochemical and comparative tissue methods), and provides technical support in pest/insect identification to branch offices and clients nationwide. In addition, Alice also prepares scientific reports for Orkin Canada clients, updates Orkin management on any changes or updates to any government regulations pertaining to the pest control industry. Alice also performs quality assurance account compliance audits.