Bed Bugs, Fleas & Ticks
Tick
Small, eight-legged parasites that latch onto people and pets in grassy and wooded areas. Blacklegged (deer) ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are increasingly found around Sudbury.
Quick facts
- Size
- 3–5 mm unfed; much larger when fed
- Colour
- Reddish-brown to black
- Active season
- Spring to late fall
- Where found
- Tall grass, brush, wooded edges, leaf litter
How to Identify
- Flat, tear-drop shaped body
- Eight legs (adults)
- Blacklegged ticks have dark legs and a reddish-brown body
- Swell greatly after feeding
Signs to Look For
- Ticks on pets or clothing after time outdoors
- A tick attached to the skin
- An expanding red rash after a bite — see a doctor
Why It Matters
- Blacklegged ticks can transmit Lyme disease
- Bites are painless and can go unnoticed for days
- Pets can carry ticks indoors
Prevention Tips
- Keep grass short and clear leaf litter and brush
- Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent outdoors
- Do daily tick checks on people and pets
- Remove attached ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers
