Lyme Disease & Ticks

Blacklegged ticks in Hamilton

Ticks live in wooded areas or dense bushy areas with leaf litter or tall grasses. Blacklegged ticks prefers wooded or dense bushy areas and are not typically found in lawns, landscaped areas, sport fields or paved areas.

Blacklegged and other types of ticks are spread into new areas by travelling on birds, deer and other animals, attaching to feed and falling off when done. Blacklegged tick populations have been found in Hamilton. The overall risk of Lyme disease infection in Hamilton is considered low. Blacklegged tick populations can occur sporadically over a wide geographic range in Canada due to larvae and nymphs readily attaching themselves to migratory birds. Although the risk is low, there is a chance of encountering an infective tick in a location outside the estimated risk areas.

Blacklegged ticks are the only known ticks that can transmit Lyme disease in Ontario. (Photo credit: URI Tick Encounter Resource Centre)

Engorged Adult Female Blacklegged Tick
Actual size up to 1.3 cm
Can transmit Lyme disease

Adult Female Blacklegged Tick
Actual size 3mm
Can transmit Lyme disease

Adult Male Blacklegged Tick
Actual size 3mm
Can transmit Lyme disease

Nymph Blacklegged Tick
Actual size 1mm to 1.6 mm
Can transmit Lyme disease

American dog ticks (seen below) are the most common tick found in our area, they cannot transmit Lyme disease. (Photo credit: URI Tick Encounter Resource Centre)

Adult Female American Dog Tick
Actual size 5mm
Does not transmit Lyme disease

Adult male American Dog Tick
Actual size 3.6mm
Does not transmit Lyme disease

Hamilton is considered a risk area for Lyme disease.

This risk area covers a 20 kilometre radius that includes all parts of the city except eastern parts of Stoney Creek and Glanbrook. While Hamilton is now identified as a risk area, the overall risk of human infection from Lyme disease in Hamilton remains low. There is a higher estimated risk of encountering a blacklegged tick within a risk area.

Public Health Ontario’s Lyme disease estimated risk areas map, 2022 shows areas in Ontario where there is a greater chance of encountering blacklegged ticks. Refer to PHO website for further details.

The suitable tick habitat is predicted to expand in Canada based on several factors, such as climate change, specifically the increase to the temperatures, land use changes(i.e., farmland to forest; encroaching human populations; forest fragmentation, and the expansion of the territory of the hosts to the blacklegged ticks. Information from the Public Health Ontario websites states “All tick surveillance indicators suggest that the current geographic range of blacklegged tick populations is expanding in southern Ontario and will likely continue to do so, as available habitat permits.”

Submit a tick for identification

The tick identification that Public Health Services provides is for surveillance purposes only and is not intended for specific diagnosis or treatment decisions for any patient. If exposed to a black legged tick, please contact your physician for treatment advice.

Tick testing sample kits can be picked up year round at:

• Any of the Municipal Service Centres with the exception of City Hall
• The offices for Public Health Services, 110 King St. West, 2nd Floor, Hamilton

To submit the tick to Public Health Services for identification:

• Save the tick in a clear jar, screw-top bottle or zip-lock bag. If possible, keep the tick alive.
  • The tick must be loose in the jar, bottle or bag. 
  • Do not put the tick in any liquid or attach it to paper or tape.
  • Fill out information on the tick label included in the testing sample kit

Important information for tick testing

• Take note of the following information before you bring a tick in for identification:
• We no longer test blacklegged ticks for Lyme disease if they were found on a person. Persons exposed to blacklegged ticks should consult with health care provider for possible treatment.
• We will not test ticks found on dogs or animals for Lyme disease.
• Public Health staff will look at and identify all ticks submitted.
• Public Health staff will call you within two to five business days to let you know the identification of the tick.

Lyme disease spreads through bites from an infected tick (not all ticks are infected). However, even with a bite from an infected tick, there is only a small chance of getting Lyme disease.  Tick bites are usually painless. In most cases, ticks must be actively attached and feeding for more than 24 hours to transmit the bacterium.

Symptoms of Lyme disease usually start one to two weeks after getting a tick bite, but can begin as early as three days to as long as four weeks after a tick bite.

Signs and Symptoms

Red rash that slowly expands around the bite can appear. Learn more about what this rash may look like.

In some cases, more serious neurological or cardiac symptoms occur after being infected. Left untreated Lyme disease can cause serious health problems.

Lyme disease is diagnosed through a combination of symptom presentation, history of exposure to infected ticks and/or validated laboratory test results.

If you have been bitten by a tick and believe you have symptoms of Lyme disease it is important to see your doctor for medical advice. Tell them where you were when you got the tick bite to help them assess your risk of Lyme disease.

The most important thing to do is to remove the tick immediately, following the steps outlined above. Call your doctor to talk about testing and treatment if you develop Lyme disease symptoms following a tick bite.  Symptoms of Lyme disease usually start one to two weeks after getting a tick bite, but can begin as early as three days to as long as four weeks after a tick bite.

Tips to avoid getting tick bites:

Around your home and property you can lower chances of contact with ticks by eliminating conditions and habitat that might be favorable for ticks by:

Checking for ticks

You should do a tick check after spending time outdoors in wooded or forested areas. Carefully look for ticks on your body, starting with your feet and ending at your head, also don't forget to also pay special attention to the groin area and knees. Remember the acronym WHAT when checking for ticks on yourself and family members.

Daily Visual Tick Checks
Remember the accronym WHAT when checking your children and pets for ticks.

• Waist
• Hairline
• Armpits
• Toes

What to do if you get a tick bite

If you find a tick on your body, remove the tick immediately to prevent infection. If a tick is attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is small.

1. Remove the tick carefully with tweezers by grasping the tick as close to your skin as possible.
2. Pull it straight out, gently but firmly.
3. After you remove the tick, clean the bite with soap and water.

When removing a tick:

• Do not burn the tick off
• Do not put anything on the tick to try to smother it, such as Vaseline, alcohol or baby oil
• Do not squeeze it; this could allow bacteria that causes Lyme disease to get into your body