Prof. Scott Weese

It’s Canada Day weekend – for ticks, too

Finn, a mixed breed, long haired dog, sits on a rock, panting

 

By Sydney Pearce

This holiday weekend, as you finalize your plans, make sure to prepare yourself for the insects that accompany the great outdoors – like ticks.

Ticks can transmit pathogens that cause disease. In Ontario, the blacklegged tick poses the greatest risk; it can transmit several pathogens including the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) that causes Lyme disease in humans, dogs and horses.