Canada's Tick Problem Is Getting More Complicated
Canada already has 40 known tick species — and that number is climbing. As temperatures warm and habitats shift, new species are pushing northward into parts of the country where ticks were once rare or entirely absent. It's a slow-moving invasion, but researchers say the public health implications are very real.
CBC's Tom Murphy recently visited the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre (CTRIC) to dig into what's driving this shift and what Canadians should know heading into tick season.
Why New Species Matter
Not all ticks carry the same risks. The black-legged tick (also called the deer tick) is the main carrier of Lyme disease in Canada and has been spreading steadily across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces for years. But as new species arrive — some previously found only in the southern United States — they bring with them pathogens that Canadian doctors and public health systems are less familiar with.
Some of these newcomers can transmit diseases beyond Lyme, including spotted fever group rickettsia, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis. These conditions can be serious, and because they're less commonly tested for in Canada, diagnosis is sometimes delayed.
What CTRIC Is Doing About It
The Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre is at the forefront of surveillance and study. Scientists there are monitoring where ticks are spreading, which pathogens they're carrying, and how climate patterns are accelerating the migration north.
One key challenge: ticks don't respect provincial borders, and surveillance programs aren't always coordinated nationally. CTRIC is pushing for better data-sharing and faster lab turnaround so that when someone shows up at a clinic with a tick bite, doctors have the tools to respond quickly.
Researchers are also studying tick behaviour — how they find hosts, how long they need to be attached before transmitting disease, and which environments pose the highest risk. That last point is increasingly important as more Canadians head into green spaces for hiking, camping, and everyday outdoor recreation.
What You Can Do Right Now
Public health experts recommend a few consistent habits during tick season (which runs roughly from spring through late fall, though ticks can be active on warmer winter days too):
- Wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easier to spot
- Tuck pants into socks when walking through tall grass or wooded areas
- Use DEET or picaridin-based repellents on exposed skin and clothing
- Do a full-body tick check after spending time outdoors — pay attention to the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, groin, and behind the knees
- Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight out without twisting
- Save the tick if possible and report it through apps like eTick, which helps researchers track species distribution across Canada
The Bigger Picture
This isn't a crisis to panic over — but it is a situation worth taking seriously. Ticks have always been part of the Canadian outdoors. What's changing is the range, the variety, and the disease risk they carry. Staying informed and taking simple precautions can go a long way.
For anyone who spends time outdoors in Canada, tick awareness is quickly becoming as routine as sunscreen.
Source: CBC Top Stories — Watch the full report on CBC
