Tips and tricks to avoid ticks
Spring weather and warmer temperatures increase tick activity across the province. Saskatchewan residents are being reminded to take precautions to reduce their risk of exposure to ticks.
Tick bites occur most often from early spring to fall. In Saskatchewan, the most common tick species in spring and early summer are Dermacentor species—namely the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick. These ticks typically become active at this time of year, with peak activity occurring in May and June. The risks are higher in areas with tall grass, brush, and wooded areas, and during activities with longer-term exposure in these environments like camping, hiking, or hunting. As temperatures rise in July and August, their activity declines as they retreat underground.
“You can take simple steps to prevent and manage tick bites before and after going outdoors. While most tick bites don’t cause diseases, blacklegged ticks may cause Lyme and other tick-borne diseases and are showing up in places they haven’t before,” said Dr. Simon Kapaj, a SHA Medical Health Officer. “You can protect yourself and your family against tick and insect bites by following simple measures when you spend time in an area where ticks may live.”
People with pets who are active in tall grass, brush, and wooded areas should be especially aware to monitor for ticks. Here are simple things you can do to reduce your exposure to ticks:
- Wear pants, long-sleeved shirts, and shoes that don’t show your bare feet.
- Tuck your pant legs into your socks to prevent ticks from crawling up your legs.
- Wear light-coloured clothes so ticks can be easily seen.
- Put on bug spray with DEET or Icaridin. Re-apply as directed on the product
- Stay on paths and avoid contact with tall grass and overgrown brush when hiking.
- Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after being outside.
- Shower or bathe as soon as possible after being outside to wash off loose ticks.
- Regularly check household pets which go into tall grass and wooded areas.
- Remove any ticks you find using tweezers. Take a photo of it and send it to eTick.ca (www.etick.ca)
Lyme Disease Risk
In Saskatchewan, the chance of people being exposed to Lyme disease from a tick bite is very low, but it is not zero. Most ticks in Saskatchewan are American dog ticks or wood ticks and do not transmit Lyme disease which is spread by the blacklegged tick. Migrating birds and animals are the suspected source of blacklegged ticks found in the province. No reproducing populations of blacklegged ticks have been detected in the province since active field surveys began in 2008. Between 2019 and 2025, there have been 18 cases of Lyme disease reported in the province. All cases were associated with travel outside the province or Canada to areas where blacklegged ticks are more common. Case numbers include preliminary data for 2025 and are subject to change.
Safe Removal
Find instructions for safe tick removal and a video demonstration on the Government of Saskatchewan website.
If you are bitten by a tick, carefully remove the tick (if possible) and clean the area with soap and water. Monitor for signs of Lyme disease by checking for a “bulls-eye” rash which often develops at the bite site. Other symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. It is recommended that people consult a physician immediately if they develop symptoms suggestive of Lyme disease after a tick bite. If untreated, Lyme disease may affect the joints, the heart, and nervous system.
