Spring Weather Bringing Out BC’s Ticks

B.C.’s been pretty lucky with an early spring, but the unseasonable warmth is also bringing out an unpleasant pest.

Interior Health is warning that the change in weather is also good for ticks, small bugs that feed on human and animal blood and who can sometimes transmit disease. “Ticks are most often found in tall grass and wooded areas, so covering up before you head outdoors and checking for ticks on yourself, your children, and your pets after being outdoors are simple things that go a long way to prevent tick bites,” said Gwen Barker, Communicable Disease Specialist with Interior Health.

The most common tick species in the Interior Health area is the Wood Tick, one that doesn’t carry the Lyme disease bacteria. Instead, the Wood Tick can carry other diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, though very rarely. Some ticks can have toxins causing temporary muscle weakness and paralysis if they’re attached for a few days. However, these symptoms fade after the tick is removed. Many tick-borne infections cause similar symptoms, which include fever, headache, muscle pain, and rash.

The ticks that do carry Lyme disease (lxodes pacificus) are more common on B.C.’s coast, but they can be present in low numbers in the Interior. Less than one per cent of these ticks actually carry Lyme disease in B.C. People infected with Lyme disease have often have the regular tick-borne infection symptoms, as well as a rash that looks like a bulls-eye target and expands from the bite.

“Most tick bites do not result in illness; however, all tick bites should be cleaned, as infection can occur whenever there is a break in the skin,” said Barker. “It is important to watch for signs of tick-transmitted illnesses. Anyone who experiences a bulls-eye rash or other symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible.”

To avoid ticks, try these precautions:

• Walking on cleared trails when in tall grass or wooded areas.
• Wearing a hat, long sleeves, pants, and light-coloured clothing.
• Tucking pant legs into socks or boots.
• Applying insect repellent containing DEET on uncovered skin.
• Carefully checking clothing and scalp (covered or not) when leaving an area where ticks may live.
• Having a shower after returning from areas where ticks may live.

To reduce the amount of ticks in your home and yard:

• Keep your lawn short and remove any fallen leaves and weeds.
• Keep a buffer area such as wood-chip or gravel border between your lawn and wooded areas or stone walls. Any play equipment or play zones should be kept away from wooded areas.
• Trim tree branches to allow more sunlight in your yard.
• Keep wood piles and bird feeders away from the house.
• Widen and maintain trails on your property.

If you do find a tick on you, a family member, or a pet, wear gloves and remove it gently. You can use needle-nose tweezers to gently grasp the tick close the skin and, without squeezing, pull the tick straight out. Don’t crush the tick, since it could inject its stomach contents into your skin. After you’ve removed the tick, clean the area it was in with soap and water. If you have concerns or need help removing a tick, contact your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic.

Learn more about tick prevention with HealthLink BC's page on tick prevention and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control's page on Lyme disease.