Key Takeaways:

• Infected blacklegged ticks in Ontario can transmit Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease.
• Lyme disease symptoms vary, and many people never develop the recognizable bull’s-eye rash.
• An attached tick should be removed promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, followed by 30 days of symptom monitoring.
• One blacklegged tick can carry more than one pathogen, making a complete history of recent tick exposure important during a medical assessment.
• Residential, commercial and institutional properties can support ticks where vegetation, moisture, wildlife movement and outdoor activity overlap.
• DIY treatments often miss tick hot spots, overlook wildlife activity or cover open lawn areas where ticks are less likely to live.
• Professional tick management combines property assessment, targeted treatment, habitat maintenance and seasonal monitoring to reduce tick encounters.

Finding a tick attached to your skin or your pet can be unsettling. While not every blacklegged tick carries disease, some are infected with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can be transmitted during feeding. The longer an infected tick remains attached, the greater the risk of disease transmission.

The good news is that not every tick bite results in illness, and prompt tick removal can significantly reduce the risk of certain infections. Nevertheless, as tick populations continue to expand across Ontario, prevention remains the most effective strategy.

Lyme Disease: Ontario’s Most Recognized Tick-Borne Illness

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is the most common tick-borne disease associated with blacklegged ticks in Ontario.

Not every blacklegged tick is infected, and infection rates vary depending on location and environmental conditions. However, Public Health Ontario continues to identify new areas where infected tick populations have become established.

Lyme disease is generally transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick that remains attached long enough for the bacteria to pass into the bloodstream. While the risk increases with longer attachment times, there is no exact “safe” period. Prompt removal is always recommended.

When diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease typically responds well to antibiotics. Delayed diagnosis, however, can lead to more serious complications that may require extended medical treatment.

Early Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Symptoms usually develop several days to several weeks after a tick bite and can vary from person to person. Common early symptoms include:

• Fever 
• Chills 
• Fatigue 
• Headache 
• Muscle and joint aches 
• Swollen lymph nodes 
• A characteristic expanding skin rash (often called a “bull’s-eye” rash), although many people do not develop this classic appearance 

Because these symptoms resemble influenza or other viral illnesses, many people do not immediately associate them with a tick bite.

Anyone experiencing symptoms following a tick bite should seek medical advice promptly.

If Left Untreated

Without treatment, Lyme disease can affect multiple body systems. Possible complications include:

• Severe joint pain and arthritis 
• Facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) 
• Heart rhythm abnormalities 
• Nerve pain 
• Meningitis 
• Memory and concentration problems 
• Chronic neurological symptoms 

Early recognition and medical treatment dramatically improve outcomes.

What to Do After Finding an Attached Tick

Remove the tick promptly with clean, fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp it as close to the skin as possible, then pull slowly and straight upward without twisting or squeezing. Wash the bite area with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer. Do not use petroleum jelly, heat, nail polish or essential oils.

Place the tick in a sealed container, take a clear photo, and record the date, location and part of the body bitten. Monitor your health for 30 days and contact a healthcare professional if symptoms develop or you have concerns. These details can support a clinical assessment, but tick identification should not delay medical care.

Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Although Lyme disease receives the most attention, blacklegged ticks may also carry other pathogens. These include:

Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is caused by bacteria that infect white blood cells. Symptoms often include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. Although still relatively uncommon in Ontario compared with Lyme disease, reported cases have increased in recent years.

Babesiosis

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells.

Many healthy people experience mild symptoms or none at all, but the disease can become serious in older adults, individuals with weakened immune systems, or people without a functioning spleen.

Powassan Virus Disease

Powassan virus is rare but potentially very serious.

Unlike Lyme disease, which generally requires prolonged tick attachment for transmission, Powassan virus may be transmitted much more quickly after an infected tick begins feeding.

Although cases remain uncommon, the illness can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues.

One Tick Can Transmit More Than One Infection

A blacklegged tick can carry multiple disease-causing agents, so one bite can occasionally cause a co-infection. Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis may require different testing or treatment. Tell your healthcare provider about recent tick exposure even if your symptoms do not fit the familiar Lyme disease pattern.

Why Public Health Is Paying Close Attention

Public health agencies across Canada continue to monitor tick populations because both the number of ticks and the geographic areas where they are found are expanding.

Ontario designated anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease as Diseases of Public Health Significance in 2023, joining Lyme disease on the province’s reportable-disease list. Reporting helps public health teams spot changing patterns and focus surveillance and prevention efforts where they are needed.

As surveillance improves and tick habitat increases, awareness and prevention have become essential components of protecting public health.

For homeowners, the concern is protecting family members and pets.

For commercial property owners, employers and facility managers, reducing tick exposure can also support workplace health and safety, particularly where employees regularly work outdoors.

Tick Control Is No Longer Just a Residential Issue

Many people associate ticks with hiking trails or cottage properties. In reality, commercial properties across Ontario are reporting increasing tick activity.

Modern business campuses often include features that create excellent tick habitat while encouraging outdoor use. Examples include:

• Landscaped walking trails 
• Stormwater management ponds 
• Naturalized green spaces 
• Outdoor lunch areas 
• Woodland buffers 
• Employee wellness spaces 
• Native plant gardens 
• Utility corridors 
• Recreation areas 

These environments support biodiversity while also providing favourable conditions for wildlife that carry ticks.

As a result, property managers are increasingly considering tick management as part of their broader Integrated Pest Management and risk reduction programs.

Industries That Can Benefit from Professional Tick Management

GreenLeaf Pest Control works with a wide variety of commercial clients. Tick management may be appropriate for:

• Commercial office campuses 
• Industrial facilities 
• Business parks 
• Condominium corporations 
• Property management companies 
• Schools and private academies 
• Colleges and universities 
• Retirement communities 
• Hotels and resorts 
• Golf courses 
• Municipal facilities 
• Parks and recreation departments 
• Campgrounds 
• Outdoor event venues 
• Healthcare campuses 

Any property where people regularly spend time outdoors should periodically assess the potential for tick activity.

Why DIY Tick Control Often Falls Short

Home improvement stores offer a variety of products marketed for tick control.

While these products may temporarily reduce tick numbers in small areas, they often fail to provide lasting results because they address only the visible problem rather than the underlying habitat.

Common DIY mistakes include:

Treating the Entire Lawn

Ticks rarely spend significant time in the middle of sunny, closely mowed lawns.

Blanket applications across open turf often provide little benefit while increasing unnecessary pesticide use.

Professional treatments instead focus on areas where ticks actually live.

Missing Tick Hot Spots

Many homeowners overlook the areas where ticks are most abundant. These include:

• Woodland edges 
• Dense shrubs 
• Groundcover 
• Fence lines 
• Stone retaining walls 
• Leaf litter 
• Tall ornamental grasses 
• Transition zones between lawn and forest 

Identifying these high-risk areas requires experience and careful inspection.

Ignoring Wildlife Activity

Treating vegetation without considering wildlife movement often produces disappointing results.

Deer, rodents and birds continually introduce new ticks onto properties.

Professional Integrated Pest Management considers both habitat and wildlife pressure when developing treatment recommendations.

Treating Too Late

Timing is one of the most important factors in effective tick management.

Waiting until family members, employees or pets begin finding ticks often means populations have already become established.

Preventive seasonal treatments generally provide better long-term results than reactive applications.

GreenLeaf’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach

At GreenLeaf Pest Control, we believe successful tick management involves far more than simply applying a pesticide.

Our approach follows the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), combining inspection, monitoring, habitat assessment, education and targeted treatments to reduce tick populations while minimizing environmental impact.

Every property is unique.

A shaded ravine behind a residential home requires a different strategy than a commercial office campus with walking trails and stormwater ponds.

Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution, our licensed technicians evaluate each property’s individual risk factors before recommending an appropriate treatment plan.

This science-based approach helps maximize effectiveness while supporting responsible pesticide stewardship.

Professional Property Assessment

Every successful tick control program begins with understanding where ticks are likely to live.

During an inspection, GreenLeaf technicians assess factors such as:

• Vegetation density 
• Woodland edges 
• Moisture levels 
• Wildlife activity 
• Landscape design 
• Human activity patterns 
• Areas where children, pets or employees spend time outdoors 
• Seasonal risk factors 

This information helps prioritize treatment areas that will provide the greatest reduction in tick encounters.

From Assessment to an Ongoing Plan

Once hot spots are mapped, the findings become a site-specific action plan. It can identify where treatment is warranted, which conditions can be corrected through maintenance and which low-risk areas should be left alone. On commercial sites, it can also assign vegetation work, visitor communications and follow-up checks to the appropriate teams.

Tick pressure changes as vegetation grows and wildlife routes shift. Seasonal monitoring allows technicians to compare activity over time and refine treatment timing, boundaries and habitat recommendations.

Reduce Tick Encounters Before They Disrupt Your Property

Tick management works best before a bite, complaint or workplace incident forces a rushed response. If your home, business, school or managed property includes naturalized areas or frequent wildlife activity, GreenLeaf can assess the risk and build a targeted plan around how the space is used. Schedule a free quote and professional tick assessment to help reduce tick encounters for your family, pets, employees and guests.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

What diseases can blacklegged ticks transmit?

Blacklegged ticks can carry pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Powassan virus disease. Not every tick is infected, but one tick can sometimes carry multiple pathogens. The risk of transmission depends on the pathogen, the location and how long the infected tick remains attached.

How should you remove an attached tick?

Use clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Pull slowly and straight upward without twisting or squeezing it. Wash the bite area afterward, save the tick or take a clear photo, record when and where the bite occurred, and monitor for symptoms.

Does Lyme disease always cause a bull’s-eye rash?

No. Some people develop an expanding rash with a bull’s-eye appearance, while others have a uniformly coloured rash or no noticeable rash. Early symptoms may instead include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes and muscle or joint aches. Seek medical advice if symptoms appear after possible tick exposure.

Where are ticks most likely to live on an Ontario property?

Ticks favour moist, shaded locations where people or animals pass through vegetation. Common hot spots include woodland edges, dense shrubs, leaf litter, fence lines, groundcover, ornamental grasses, stone walls and lawn-to-forest transition zones. They are less likely to remain in the middle of a sunny, closely maintained lawn.

When does DIY tick control fall short?

DIY tick control may provide temporary results but often targets visible lawn areas instead of the shaded borders and vegetation where ticks concentrate. It may also overlook wildlife movement, seasonal timing and habitat conditions. These factors can allow ticks to remain or be continually reintroduced after treatment.

What does professional tick control include?

Professional tick control begins with an assessment of vegetation, moisture, wildlife activity and how people use the property. The resulting plan may combine targeted treatments, habitat changes, maintenance recommendations and seasonal monitoring. This approach can be adapted for homes, schools, commercial campuses, recreation areas and other managed properties.