Ticks Are Active: Know the Risks and Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

As temperatures rise and more people spend time outdoors, tick activity is increasing across Renfrew County and District. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take precautions to prevent tick bites and reduce their risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

Many areas throughout Renfrew County and District provide suitable habitat for blacklegged ticks, commonly known as deer ticks. These ticks can carry and transmit Lyme disease, the most frequently reported tick-borne illness in Ontario.

In 2025, Renfrew County and District recorded 79 cases of Lyme disease—the highest annual number on record. Local rates of Lyme disease have remained above the provincial average every year since 2020 and have exceeded three times the provincial average over the past two years.

The Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) continues to monitor tick populations to identify areas where infected blacklegged ticks are more likely to be found. The geographic range of these ticks continues to expand northwest along the Ottawa River each year. Current risk areas include communities along the Ottawa River from Arnprior to Chalk River, as well as Calabogie and Eganville.

Because blacklegged ticks are continuing to spread, they can also be found in wooded, brushy, and grassy areas outside of these identified communities. This northward expansion is part of a broader trend driven by changing climate conditions across Ontario and eastern Canada.

Recognizing Lyme Disease

An infected blacklegged tick generally needs to be attached for at least 24 hours before Lyme disease can be transmitted. Prompt tick removal can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Symptoms of Lyme disease may appear anywhere from 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and can vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:

• An expanding rash, usually at the site of the bite, which may or may not form a bull's-eye pattern
• Chills
• Fever
• Headache
• Joint and muscle pain
• Fatigue

Anyone experiencing these symptoms after a possible tick exposure should seek medical attention promptly and inform their healthcare provider about the potential tick bite. Lyme disease can be treated effectively, particularly when diagnosed early.

How to Protect Yourself from Tick Bites

Residents can reduce their risk of tick bites by taking the following precautions:

• Wear light-coloured clothing to make ticks easier to spot.
• Wear closed-toe shoes, socks, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants tucked into socks when spending time in wooded or grassy areas.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or Icaridin and follow label directions carefully.
• Perform a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors.
• Shower soon after being in forested or grassy areas to help remove unattached ticks.
• Dry clothing on high heat for at least 10 minutes after outdoor activities to kill ticks. If clothing is washed first, use hot water.
• Contact a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are concerned about a tick bite, especially if the tick was attached for 24 hours or longer. Preventive treatment may be recommended.

Tick Identification and Reporting

For additional information about tick-borne diseases, prevention measures, and tick identification, visit the Renfrew County and District Health Unit website or contact a Public Health Inspector at environmentalhealth@rcdhu.com or 613-732-3629 ext. 505.

As outdoor recreation season continues, taking simple preventive measures can help protect you, your family, and your pets from tick bites and tick-borne illnesses.