Lyme disease is caused by bacteria. It 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 infection.
As a result of staffing and resources being focused on our COVID-19 response, Southwestern Public Health will not be accepting ticks submitted for identification at the current time.
Please refer to the information below for Online tick identification this website will guide you through the process of determining the type of tick you were exposed to.
It is important to know that identifying the type of tick helps to determine your risk of Lyme disease. In Ontario, only deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis) can transmit Lyme disease. Waiting for further testing to determine if the tick has Lyme disease is not recommended as a factor in deciding if treatment is needed. Your Health Care Provider will assess your risk of Lyme disease based on how long the tick was attached and your symptoms as well as other things.
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- Contact a health care provider if you notice fever, chills, headache or the bull’s eye rash after being bitten by a tick.
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 an expert will identify it 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
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
- Be aware of Lyme disease risk areas in Ontario