Close Alert Banner
Skip to Content

Southwestern Public Health Logo

Contact Us
A - Z TopicsNewsroomLocations and HoursContact Us1-800-922-0096
  • Classes, Clinics and Services
    • Dental Clinics
    • Food Handler Certification
    • Immunization Clinics
    • Influenza (Flu) Clinics
    • Needle Exchange Program
    • Pregnancy and Baby Supports
    • Sexual Health Clinics
    • TB Skin Testing
    • Tick Identification
    • Well Water Testing
    • Quit Smoking
    • File Search Request
  • My Health
    • Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco
    • Animal Bites and Rabies
    • Body Art and Personal Care
    • Child and Family Health
    • Dental Health
    • Immunization and Vaccines
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Food and Eating
    • Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
    • Mental Health
    • Physical Activity
    • Sexual Health
    • Vector-Borne Diseases
  • Community Health
    • Consumption and Treatment Services
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Enforcement of Smoke-Free Spaces
    • Environmental Health
    • Food Safety
    • Health Inspect
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Road Safety
    • Safe Needle Disposal
    • School Health
    • Walking, Biking, Hiking
  • Partners & Professionals
    • Child Care Centres
    • Congregate Living Settings
    • Educators
    • Food Service Operators
    • Health Care Providers
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Outbreak Status Reports
    • Personal Service Settings
    • Recreational Facilities
    • Southwest IPAC Hub
  • Reports & Statistics
    • Community Health Status
    • Evaluations and Situational Assessments
    • Evidence Reviews
    • Health Inspect
    • General Reports
    • Position Statements
    • Surveillance Dashboards
  • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
    • Corporate Culture and Values
    • Events Calendar
    • Health Equity and Fairness
    • Locations and Hours
    • News and Media
    • Performance and Accountability
    Click to view About Us
    About Us

Ticks and Lyme Disease

HomeClasses, Clinics and ServicesTick Identification
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email
black legged deer tick on a finger

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that is spread through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick. The Government of Ontario provides more information on Lyme disease and how to identify a blacklegged tick. 

What to do if you are bitten by a tick

Remove a tick as soon as possible to reduce your risk of getting Lyme Disease.

  • using fine-tipped tweezers, carefully grab the tick close to the skin
  • pull it straight out, gently but firmly
  • don't squeeze the tick!
  • don't put anything on the tick or try to burn it off
  • clean the bite site with rubbing alcohol and or soap and water

Ticks that have been removed from a person can be brought to Southwestern Public Health for identification. Knowing the type of tick, can help determine the risk of getting Lyme disease.

  • place the tick in a screw-top bottle or hard plastic container
  • keep an eye out for symptoms such as fever, chills, headache and/or the bull's eye rash (not everyone develops the rash)
  • talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns
  • ticks will be identified but there is no testing for Lyme disease in the tick. Your health care provider will assess your risk of Lyme Disease based on how long the tick was attached, symptoms and other factors.

Note: Southwestern Public Health staff are not able to remove ticks from clients.

Protect yourself from ticks. Watch this short, informative video:

Online tick identification

eTick is a free electronic tick identification service available online or by downloading the mobile eTick app. Send in a photo of your tick and it will be identified within 48 hours. They will contact you with the results and provide the necessary public health information. View all the ticks eTick has identified on their public tick map. 

Information for health care providers

  • Lyme disease quick reference for health care providers
  • Lyme disease notification form

Avoid picking up a tick

Ticks like areas with tall grass and bushes. They get on people who walk through these areas. Ticks cannot fly or jump.

  • Wear long sleeves, pants and fully closed boots/shoes in tall grass, wooded areas or marshlands
  • Tuck your pants into your socks
  • Wear light-coloured clothing to spot ticks easier
  • Use a bug spray with DEET as directed on the label
  • Do a tick check after walking in an area where ticks might be
    • Shower and towel off to remove any ticks that might not be attached, and then check underarms, neck and groin area
  • Learn more about Tick Bite Management
  • Be aware of Lyme disease risk areas in Ontario

Read our Tick Tips poster for more Tick and Lyme prevention tips.

Subscribe to page updates
Classes, Clinics and Services
  • Tick Identification
  • View Full Classes, Clinics and Services Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Dental Clinics
      Toggle Section Dental Clinics Menu
      • Children and Youth 0-17
      • Seniors 65+
    • Food Handler Certification
    • Immunization Clinics
      Toggle Section Immunization Clinics Menu
      • Immunization Records and Reporting
    • Influenza (Flu) Clinics
    • Needle Exchange Program
    • Pregnancy and Baby Supports
      Toggle Section Pregnancy and Baby Supports Menu
      • Breastfeeding Classes and Support
      • Healthy Babies Healthy Children
      • Online Prenatal Classes
    • Sexual Health Clinics
    • TB Skin Testing
    • Well Water Testing
    • Quit Smoking
    • File Search Request

Contact Us

Work with Us

Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) values our people! We pride ourselves on our positive and flexible work environment.

Learn More

Southwestern Public Health footer logo

Southwestern Public Health strives to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors by encouraging a scent free environment.

  • Classes, Clinics and Services
  • My Health
  • Community Health
  • Partners & Professionals
  • Reports & Statistics
  • About Us

Links:

  • Privacy and Records Access
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer and Terms of Use
  • Location and Hours
  • Sitemap
  • Website Feedback
Scroll to top of page

© 2020 Southwestern Public Health

Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.