Ticks used to be something people worried about only on camping trips. Today, blacklegged ticks are found in many parts of Ontario, and Public Health Ontario maintains a map of estimated risk areas that has grown over the years. Backyards near woods, trails, ravines and tall grass can all have ticks.
When ticks are active
Ticks become active as soon as temperatures rise above freezing, often in April, and stay active into late fall. Spring and early summer are especially important, because the tiny nymph stage is hard to see.
Check after every outdoor day
- Check yourself, children and pets after time in grass or woods
- Pay attention to the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, waist and behind the knees
- Shower after outdoor activities
- Put outdoor clothes in the dryer on high heat
If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers and speak to a health care provider if you develop symptoms.
Make your yard less tick-friendly
- Keep grass short, especially along edges
- Remove leaf litter and brush
- Create a gravel or wood chip barrier between lawn and wooded areas
- Keep play areas away from the edge of the woods
- Stack firewood neatly and away from the house
Seasonal yard treatment
For homes and cottages near woods or trails, a seasonal program targets the edges and shaded areas where ticks wait for a host, alongside the yard changes above. See our mosquito and tick control service.
Want a tick-safe yard next season?
Seasonal mosquito and tick programs for homes and cottages.