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It's that time of year! Although ticks are out and about in all seasons, the warmer summer months increase their numbers and makes them more active. Contrary to popular belief, ticks do not jump, they are opportunistic. They hang out on leaves and branches, arms outreached waiting to latch on to passing prey, so avoiding ticks is as easy as avoiding shrubbery. As hikers, that's impossible, so let's look at the many ways to avoid ticks and the diseases they carry.
Do ticks and Lyme disease make you wary of going outdoors?
Make sure you know how to protect yourself, pets, and your loved ones when you head out on an adventure.
The most effective way to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne diseases is to prevent tick bites.
What is Lyme disease?
Ontarians are fortunate to have an abundance of wilderness that provides us with ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. But one thing to keep in mind when outside—especially in wooded areas and those with tall grasses, bushes and shrubs—is Lyme disease.
Lyme disease is spread to humans through the bite of an infected Blacklegged Tick. Health officials are seeing an increase in the number of cases in the province each year.
This is partly due to an increase and expansion of Blacklegged Tick populations to new areas of the province.
One of the symptoms of Lyme disease is an expanding skin rash, which can appear between 3-30 days after a bite. However, many people never get or see a rash. This can be very problematic as missing treatment in the first stage of the disease will push you into the second stage.
In stage 2 and 3, other symptoms may develop including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, problems with your heartbeat, breathing, balance and short-term memory. In rare cases, Lyme disease may result in death.
It is important to see your health care provider as early as possible if you have symptoms or if you feel unwell in the weeks following a tick bite. The earlier treatment is received the better.
How do people contract Lyme disease?
Blacklegged Ticks cannot fly. Ticks settle in trees, brushy areas, and high grass. The tick waits in a crouched position with arms stretched outward. The tick will hook on to a passing person or animal as it crosses their path.
Ticks are known to feed on migratory birds and can be carried throughout the province.
Lyme disease is not transmitted from person-to-person; however, dogs and cats can carry Blacklegged Ticks inside and place families at risk of being bitten.
Check your pets for ticks daily and talk with your vet about keeping your pet protected from ticks. Remember, that you are at risk when spending time in the same environments.
When you’re out in tick habitat, protect yourself by taking these precautions:
Wear light-coloured clothing. It makes ticks easier to spot
Wear closed footwear and socks and a long-sleeved shirt tucked into long pants. Tuck your pants into your socks
Use a tick repellent that has DEET or icaridin on your clothes and exposed skin (be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions)
Search your clothes and body for ticks at least once a day, paying special attention to areas such as the groin, belly button, armpits, scalp, and behind ears and knees.
Use a mirror to check the back of your body or have someone else check for you. Don’t forget to tick check children in your care
Place outdoor clothing through the dryer cycle for 60 minutes on high heat before washing to kill any ticks that may be hard to see.
What if I find a tick?
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible
Pull the tick out slowly with even pressure to ensure mouth parts are removed and body is not crushed
Wash area with soap and warm water
DO NOT...
Grasp around bloated belly and squeeze the tick
Use a match, heat, or chemicals to try and remove the tick
Twist the tick when pulling it out
Current Lyme disease risk areas in Ontario
While not all Blacklegged Ticks can cause Lyme disease, there has been an increase in the number of areas in Ontario where blacklegged ticks have been identified or are known to exist.
Ticks infected with Lyme and other diseases are continuing to spread as the climate in Canada warms. Ticks are moving more North with the help of migratory birds and their ability to survive the mild winters.
For more details, review the Lyme disease risk area map below:
While the probability is low, it is possible to encounter an infected tick almost anywhere in the province.
For more information please consult the Public Health Ontario or the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Posted on Ontario Parks Blog, updated March 25, 2024N.A.C. NEWS
(Sunday, June 9, 2024)
OUTDOORS ORIENTED'S GEAR SWAP IS ON NOW!
Make sure to gather up all your old gear and head on down to Outdoor's Oriented for their annual Gear Swap. Make a bit of cash from that old gear, or pick up some great used gear at an awesome price! The Outdoor's Oriented Gear Swap is a great event for emptying out or filling up that gear closet!
For full details on the gear swap and instructions, visit;Outdoors Oriented Gear Swap Page.
Good Morning,
On Friday we had an amazing time at Climber's Rock Climbing Gym in Burlington, Ontario. NAC's Rock On Indoor Climbing events are always a blast and great exercise with an amazing group of people. Climber's Rock has super friendly staff that is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Join us on the next event, if it is your first visit, you are eligible for a free rock climbing lesson and free day pass provided by NAC.(Does not include gear rental, must be age 14 to participate in a lesson, under 18 must be accompanied by legal guardian)
Make sure to visit the NAC Event page often for many more upcoming adventures. This coming Friday you can join us for an incredible hike along the Spencer Creek in Hamilton, Ontario. This hike will begin in Christie Lake Conservation Area where we will hike along the shore of Christie Lake, cross a dam and continue down Spencer Creek. Along our journey we will pass two beautiful waterfalls and stand on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment to enjoy spectacular views of Hamilton and Dundas from high above. Then come with us the following Friday where we will again visit Climber's Rock for another challenging night of Indoor Rock Climbing.
Visit NAC's Facebook Photo Albums to check out thousands of photos from our past adventures including international excursions, day hikes, paddling trips and indoor rock climbing experiences.
That's all the news for this week.
Remember, the adventure never ends, it's just a change of location!
Lenny Burch