You are reading the Original Version (CLB5+) Read Simple Version (CLB3-4) Winter is finally over! Lovely warm weather is here. It’s the season for gardening and walking outside but remember – it’s also the season for ticks. Ticks are arachnids, which means that they are part of the spider family. Unlike insects, they have eight legs. Ticks need blood meals to complete their life cycles. They get this by biting different animals, including humans. There are around 800 species all over the world but we especially need to avoid blacklegged ticks – they are carriers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis (a malaria-like illness). They come out from early spring to late fall in Manitoba. The Winnipeg Health Region encourages Manitobans to: Generally, ticks can be found in wooded or brushy places outdoors where there is moisture. “They can be found within and along the edge of forests and in areas with thick, woody shrubs and other vegetation” (Winnipeg Regional Health Authority). There are also specific Blacklegged Tick Risk Areas in Manitoba where this type of tick is more likely to be found. They may be found in other places as well, but the risk of Lyme disease is relatively low outside of the risk areas. If you live near a wooded area and plan to do some walking, minimize risk by doing the following: Symptoms of tick-borne illness: Symptoms can start from about three days to one month after a bite. A circular rash can also form. It will look like a bulls-eye with an intense circular rash within a bigger circle. However, not everyone infected will have this rash. It would be a good idea to consult your doctor if you feel any of the symptoms listed above. If you see a tick on your skin, don’t squash it. It could go deeper and it will be harder to remove. Do the following: The information you provide will be useful if you need to see a healthcare provider. It can also help others looking for information on the eTick site. Watch this video to know how to remove a tick from your skin safely: Removing a tick as soon as possible reduces the chance of infection. But, you can choose to ask a healthcare provider to help you if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. If you were bitten, consult your family doctor immediately and follow instructions for treatment. Tick-borne diseases are treatable especially in the early stages of infection. Please login to tell us what you think.Skip to:
What are ticks?
How to prevent tick bites:
Know where ticks are located
Minimize risk of exposure
Recognize the symptoms of Lyme disease
Healthy Canadians
Sources: Take precautions to minimize tick exposure, WRHA; About Blacklegged ticks, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living; Lyme group expects bad tick year in Manitoba, Laura Glowacki, CBC News. All accessed on May 4, 2017.We'd love to hear from you!